The six-minute walk test and body weight-walk distance product in healthy Brazilian subjects

Author(s)

A.M. Iwama ^[1] ; G.N. Andrade ^[2] ; P. Shima ^[3] ; S.E. Tanni ^[4] ; I. Godoy ^[5] ; V.Z. Dourado ^[6]

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Campus Baixada Santista. Laboratório de Estudo da Motricidade Humana. Departamento de Ciências da Saúde - Brasil

^[2] Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Campus Baixada Santista. Laboratório de Estudo da Motricidade Humana. Departamento de Ciências da Saúde - Brasil

^[3] Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Campus Baixada Santista. Laboratório de Estudo da Motricidade Humana. Departamento de Ciências da Saúde - Brasil

^[4] Universidade Estadual Paulista. Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu. Disciplina de Pneumologia - Brasil

^[5] Universidade Estadual Paulista. Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu. Disciplina de Pneumologia - Brasil

^[6] Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Campus Baixada Santista. Laboratório de Estudo da Motricidade Humana. Departamento de Ciências da Saúde - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research; v. 42, n. 11, p. 1080-1085, 2009-10-02.

Abstract

We assessed the 6-min walk distance (6MWD) and body weight x distance product (6MWw) in healthy Brazilian subjects and compared measured 6MWD with values predicted in five reference equations developed for other populations. Anthropometry, spirometry, reported physical activity, and two walk tests in a 30-m corridor were evaluated in 134 subjects (73 females, 13-84 years). Mean 6MWD and 6MWw were significantly greater in males than in females (622 ± 80 m, 46,322 ± 10,539 kg.m vs 551 ± 71 m, 36,356 ± 8,289 kg.m, P < 0.05). Four equations significantly overestimated measured 6MWD (range, 32 ± 71 to 137 ± 74 m; P < 0.001), and one significantly underestimated it (-36 ± 86 m; P < 0.001). 6MWD significantly correlated with age (r = -0.39), height (r = 0.44), body mass index (r = -0.24), and reported physical activity (r = 0.25). 6MWw significantly correlated with age (r = -0.21), height (r = 0.66) and reported physical activity (r = 0.25). The reference equation devised for walk distance was 6MWDm = 622.461 - (1.846 x Ageyears) + (61.503 x Gendermales = 1; females = 0); r2 = 0.300. In an additional group of 85 subjects prospectively studied, the difference between measured and the 6MWD predicted with the equation proposed here was not significant (-3 ± 68 m; P = 0.938). The measured 6MWD represented 99.6 ± 11.9% of the predicted value. We conclude that 6MWD and 6MWw variances were adequately explained by demographic and anthropometric attributes. This reference equation is probably most appropriate for evaluating the exercise capacity of Brazilian patients with chronic diseases. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/07264-2 - REFERANCE VALUES FOR THE 6-MIN WALK TEST IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS 20-80 YEARS OLD
• Grantee: Ângela May Iwama
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 07/08673-3 - SIX-MINUTE AND SHUTTLE WALK TESTS IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS AGED 40-80 YEARS
• Grantee: Victor Zuniga Dourado
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants