Standard reference for the six-minute-walk test in healthy children aged 7 to 16 years.
BACKGROUND
We have previously reported that the six-minute-walk test (6MWT) is a reliable and valid functional test for assessing exercise tolerance and endurance. There is a lack of pediatric standard reference for the 6MWT.


OBJECTIVE
To construct height-specific standards for the 6MWT for children aged 7 to 16 years.


METHODS
The anthropometric data, spirometric lung function, and six-minute-walk distance (6MWD) of Chinese children aged 7 to 16 years were prospectively measured using standardized protocols. The findings were used to construct height-specific standards for the 6MWT. The least mean square (LMS) method using maximum penalized likelihood was used to facilitate model fitting. Factors significantly associated with 6MWD were also determined.


RESULTS
From January 2005 to April 2006, a total of 1,445 subjects were studied. The measured variables showed a normal distribution. Height-specific reference standards for 6MWT were constructed for both male and female children. Forward stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed height and difference in heart rate before and after the walk test to be important clinical variables associated with 6MWD.


CONCLUSIONS
These 6MWD standards will provide useful references for the care of pediatric patients.
Li
Albert M
AM
Department of Pediatrics, and Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, 6th Floor, Clinical Sciences Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong. albertmli@cuhk.edu.hk
Yin
Jane
J
Au
Jun T
JT
So
Hung K
HK
Tsang
Tony
T
Wong
Eric
E
Fok
Tai F
TF
Ng
Pak C
PC
D000293:Adolescent; D001827:Body Height; D002648:Child; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012015:Reference Standards; D012737:Sex Factors; D013147:Spirometry; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking