The 6-minute walk test is a commonest, effective and safe exercise capacity measurement test.
The aim of this study is to examine the reliability of 6MWT to estimate functional exercise capacity in obese individuals.
We conducted a systematic review to examine the reliability of 6MWT in obese individuals following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta Analyses statement (PRISMA).
Four studies met the inclusion criteria: One study assessed as good, two studies as fair and one as a poor methodological quality. Intraclass correlation coefficient to verify agreement between six minute walked distance walked in test & re-test ranged 0.84 to 0.99 and included studies shows statistically significant differences between two 6MWT with mean difference of 18m, 6m, 2.8m and 1m, percentage difference 3%, 1%, 0.4% and 0.1% respectively.
The 6MWT may be considered as a reliable tool for estimating functional exercise capacity in obese individuals.
Six-minute walk test, Field walk test, Walk test, Functional capacity, Reliability, Obesity
