The six minute walk test (6MWT) is simple, objective and reproducible measure of functional capacity and has been widely used to assess functional status of patients with cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. However, no attempt has been made to establish the reference values for six minute walk distance (6MWD) in normal healthy adults, especially in Indian population. The aim of the study, therefore, was to establish the reference value for 6MWD in healthy adults and to evaluate its determining factors to improve the overall interpretation of 6MWD.
Five hundred twenty one normal healthy individuals aged 40–70 years volunteered to participate in the trial. Test was conducted on a 30 meter (mt) long pathway with verbal encouragement to all individuals at every one minute. Walking distance averaged 523 SD 70.6 and was 26.46 mt greater in males compared to females. 6MWD showed significant correlation with age (r = -0.397, p < 0.001) and height (r = 0.292, p < 0.001). The study concludes that geographical variation plays an important role in 6MWD and is also affected by the body composition of the individuals. The present study provides new 6MWD standard curves that could be useful in the care of adults with chronic diseases.
Six Minute Walk Test, Six Minute Walk Distance, Healthy individuals
