Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy - An International Journal
  • Year: 2015
  • Volume: 9
  • Issue: 4

Comparison between the Distances Covered, Heart Rate and Respiratory Rate During 20 Metre & 30 Metre 6-minute Walk Test among Smokers

1Assistant Professor, Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Physiotherapy, Chandiwala Estate, Maa Anandmayi Marg, Kalkaji, New Delhi

2Head of Physiotherapy Department, Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Physiotherapy, Chandiwala Estate, Maa Anandmayi Marg, Kalkaji, New Delhi

3Assistant Professor, Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Physiotherapy, Chandiwala Estate, Maa Anandmayi Marg, Kalkaji, New Delhi

Online published on 28 September, 2015.

Abstract

According to ATS, 30m is standardized length of corridor for conducting a 6MWT & it avoids the use of shorter corridor, since it requires subject to take more turns and hence more exertion. The present study was planned to compare the distances covered, physiological vitals and subjective exertion rating on different lengths of corridor.

We performed a crossover observational, pre-test and post-test study

Our aim was to compare the differences between the distances covered, heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and perceived exertion ratings during a 20 meter & a 30 meter, 6-minute walk test among smokers.

100 male smokers in the age group 20 to 50 years were considered for present study. Measurements of HR, BP, RR, RPE on Modified Borg's scale, was taken before and after 6MWT on 20m and 30m length of corridor. 6MWD was also documented & compared at the end of 6MWT (as per ATS).

Intergroup comparison showed statistically non-significant difference in resting RR(p=0.660), HR(p=0.640), SBP(p=0.189), DBP(p=0.530), RPE(p=0.083), and post 6MWT measures RR(p=0.351), HR(p=0.324), SBP(p=0.937), DBP(p=0.831), RPE(p=0.025) parameters. 6MWD was clinically non-significant in 20m & 30m corridor 6MWT. Within group comparison of 6MWT measures showed statistically highly significant (p=0.000) differences in both 20m and 30 m length of corridor in 6MWT. The magnitudes of the improvement in these parameters were found to be significant at the level (p<0.05)

There was no clinically significant difference found in 6MWT physiological variables, subjective exertion & measures of 6MWD post 6MWT in 20m & 30m length of corridor among smokers. So, a 20m corridor length can be used to conduct 6MWT in smokers, when the 30m corridor is unavailable.

Keywords

Smokers, 6MWT, 20m Corridor, 6MWD, HR, RR, BP, RPE