The first reference equations for the 6-minute walk distance over a 10 m course

• Published in: Thorax Vol. 69; no. 9; pp. 867 - 868
• Main Authors: Beekman, Emmylou, Mesters, Ilse, Gosselink, Rik, Klaassen, Mariska P M, Hendriks, Erik J M, Van Schayck, Onno C P, de Bie, Rob A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 01.09.2014
• Subjects: Adult; Age; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Algorithms; Body Height; Body Mass Index; Cross-Sectional Studies; Exercise Test; Exercise Tolerance - physiology; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume; Heart Rate; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Oxygen - blood; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - physiopathology; Regression analysis; Sex Factors; Studies; Time Factors; Vital Capacity; COPD Epidemiology; Exercise; Pulmonary Rehabilitation; Systemic Disease and Lungs; Clinical Epidemiology; Respiratory Measurement; Empyema; Emphysema
• ISSN: 0040-6376; 1468-3296
• DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2014-205228

Rationale As primary care practice space is mostly limited to 10 m, the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) over a 10 m course is a frequently used alternative to evaluate patients’ performance in COPD. Considering that course length significantly affects distance walked in 6 minutes (6MWD), this study aims to develop appropriate reference equations for the 10 m 6MWT. Methods 181 healthy subjects, aged 40–90 years, performed two standardised 6MWTs over a straight 10 m course in a cross-sectional study. Results Average distance achieved was 578±108 m and differed between males and females (p<0.001). Resulting sex-specific reference equations from multiple regression analysis included age, body mass index and change in heart rate, explaining 62% of the variance in 6MWD for males and 71% for females. Conclusions The presented reference equations are the first to evaluate 6MWD over a 10 m course and expand the usefulness of the 6MWT.