The Six-Minute Walk Test for adults with intellectual disability: A study of validity and reliability

Abstract

Background The Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) has been used with clinical and healthy populations to assess functional capacity and cardiovascular fitness. The aim of this study was to determine the test–retest reliability of a modified-6MWT as well as concurrent validity of walk distance with peak oxygen uptake (VO₂ peak).

Method Participants were 13 adults (males = 7) with intellectual disability aged 18–44 years recruited from Special Olympics, and with no medical contraindications to exercise. The 6MWT was modified to include familiarisation, a 1:1 pacer, and encouragement every 15 s. Each participant performed the graded maximal treadmill test and the modified-6MWT twice.

Results Test–retest reliability of the modified-6MWT was ICC = .98, and linear regression revealed that the modified- 6MWT distance was significantly related to VO₂ peak (R = .84, p < .001).

Conclusions The modified-6MWT is easy to administer and score and shows acceptable validity and excellent reliability for assessing cardiovascular fitness in adults with intellectual disability.

Keywords:

• intellectual
• disability
• adults
• cardiovascular fitness
• Six-Minute Walk Test
• validity
• reliability

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.