elf-Administered Six-Minute Walk Test Using a Free Smartphone App in Asymptomatic Adults: Reliability and Reproducibilit

Author(s)

Jesus, Matheus Oliveira de ^[1] ; Ostolin, Thatiane Lopes Valentim Di Paschoale ^[1] ; Proenca, Neli Leite ^[1] ; Silva, Rodrigo Pereira da ^[1] ; Dourado, Victor Zuniga ^{[2, 1]}

Affiliation

^[1] Fed Univ Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Human Movement Sci, BR-11015020 Santos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Harvard TH Chan Sch Publ Hlth, Lown Scholars Program, Boston, MA 02115 - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: NTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALT; v. 19, n. 3 FEB 2022.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Background: The 6-min walk test (6MWT) is a simple, inexpensive, reliable, and reproducible test that provides a reasonable estimate of the cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). We aimed to assess the reliability and reproducibility of a self-administered 6MWT in asymptomatic adults using a free smartphone app. Methods: In the 1st phase, 93 participants underwent a supervised 6MWT (6MWTsup) in a 30 m indoor corridor, using a triaxial accelerometer and their smartphones to compare the total step counts and to develop a 6-min walk distance (6MWD) prediction equation. In the 2nd phase, 25 participants performed the 6MWTsup and two self-administered 6MWTs outdoors (6MWTsa1 and 6MWTsa2, at least 48 h apart) using a free smartphone app. Results: The agreement between accelerometer- and app-based total step counts was limited (mean difference, -58.7 steps (-8.7%): 95% confidence interval, -326.5 (-46.8%) to 209.1 (29.3%)). The best algorithm for predicting the 6MWTsup(m) included: 795.456 + (0.815 height(m) app-steps) - (1.620 age(years)) - (3.005 weight(kg)) - (1.155 app-steps), R-2 = 0.609). The intraclass correlation coefficient between 6MWTsa2 and 6MWTsa1 was excellent (0.91: 0.81-0.96). The coefficient of variation was 6.4%. The agreement between the two self-administered tests was narrow (-1.9 (0.2%) meters: -57.4 (-9.5%) to 61.3 (9.9%)). Conclusions: The self-administered 6MWT has excellent reliability and reproducibility in asymptomatic adults, being a valuable tool for assessing CRF in community-based interventions. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/07282-6 - Level of physical activity and fitness and its association with pulmonary function decline in adults in the city of Santos, Brazil
• Grantee: Victor Zuniga Dourado
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/50249-3 - Playful data-driven active urban living
• Grantee: Victor Zuniga Dourado
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants