Effect of Walking Course Length on 6MWT: An Experimental Study

Indian Journal of Respiratory Care

article

Aditi N Zawar¹  Raziya M Nagarwala¹  Rachana P Dabadghav² 

[1] Department of Cardiovascular Respiratory Physiotherapy, Sancheti Institute College of Physiotherapy ,(SICOP), Sancheti Healthcare Academy;Research Coordinator, Sancheti Institute College of Physiotherapy ,(SICOP), Sancheti Healthcare Academy

关键词: 6-minute walk test;    Course length;    Maximal oxygen uptake;    Walking speed;   

DOI  :  10.5005/jp-journals-11010-1019

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications

【 摘 要 】

Introduction: The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is a validated tool of submaximal intensity used as an objective measure of functional exercise capacity. Changes in 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) are used to evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. American Thoracic Society (ATS) guidelines state that the walking course for the 6MWT must be 30 m. In a primary care physiotherapy setting, a 30 m straight course is often not available. Space limitations often force clinicians and researchers to conduct 6MWT on shorter courses. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of 5, 10, 15, and 30 m course lengths on 6MWD and physiological parameters during the 6MWT. Materials and methods: A total of 80 healthy adults from 18 to 30 years performed four 6MWTs along 5, 10, 15, and 30 m course lengths in a corridor randomly, on consecutive days. The 6MWD and vital parameters on all four course lengths were recorded. Walking speed and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) were calculated. Results: There was a significant difference in 6MWD, walking speed, and VO2 max over 5, 10, 15, and 30 m course lengths during 6MWT (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference observed in the change in heart rate (HR) between 6MWT on 5 and 10 m course lengths and 6MWT on 15 and 30 m course lengths (p 0.05). Conclusion: The course length strongly influences the performance during the 6MWT and the results on 5, 10, 15, and 30 m courses are not interchangeable with each other. However, there was a similar submaximal cardiac performance on 15 and 30 m course lengths.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC-SA