![Sample our Health and Social Care journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5938/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Health-Social-Care.jpg"})
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess reproducibility and validity of the 6 minute walk test (6MWT) in obese youth and to develop an equation to predict aerobic power (VO2max). Methods: Fifty-two girls and 45 boys, ages 7–17.8 participated in the study. Three walk tests were administered 1 week apart. Each visit corresponded to a specific test, either an incremental treadmill test, or the 6MWT. The 6MWT was performed on two occasions 1 week apart to assess reproducibility. Treadmill and walk tests were randomly assigned to avoid order effect. Results: Subjects walked 689.4 ± 98.6 m on the initial 6MWT and 690.4 ± 98.2 m on the second test. Intraclass correlation coefficient was r = 0.99. The Bland and Altman method also showed good agreement between the two 6MWTs. Stepwise multiple regression determined that distance walked in 6 MWT and BMI are the most significant factors in predicting VO2max. The prediction equation is VO2 max (ml.kg.min-1) = 26.9 + 0.014 × 6 MWT (meters) – 0.38 × BMI (kg/m2). Conclusions: In obese youth, the 6 MWT is a reproducible and valid test for assessing aerobic power. A prediction equation was developed to estimate VO2max, using distance walked in 6MWT and BMI.
Implications for Rehabilitation
The six-minute walk test can be used to predict the maximal oxygen uptake without a calorimetry indirect test very cumbersoming, expensive and time consuming.
The six-minute walk test can also to estimate the maximal fat oxidation point (FATmax).
It is therefore to prescript exercises using the target of FATmax for the rehabilitation of obese young individuals.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the children and their parents for taking part in the study. All authors do not have any competing interests.
Declaration of Interest: The authors reports no conflicts of interest.