title: Comparability of the 6-min walk test using different test configurations.
abstract: The 6-min walk test (6MWT) is a common component of fitness assessments of older adults; however, differing course configurations might affect 6MWT performance. It is unclear how comparable 2 different configurations are. To determine the comparability of 2 courses, 35 adults >65 years of age completed two 6MWT, once walking around a 20- by 5-yd outdoor rectangle and once on an indoor oval track (circumference 144.3 yd). Scores for the 2 tests were internally consistent (intraclass correlation coefficient = .95). The participants walked farther on the oval track than around the rectangle (639 +/- 19 vs. 582 +/- 16 yd; p < .0001), but responses to the rectangular configuration could be readily estimated using the equation 66.7 yd + 0.807 x (oval walking distance), R2 = .85. Thus, within-participant responses are similar across both 6MWT, but the course configuration affects the distance walked.
authors.affiliation: Dept. Of Kinesiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Del N
authors.initials: del N
authors.lastname: Konopka
authors.forename: Robin P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Shook
authors.forename: Marian L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Kohut
authors.forename: Rosalie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vos Tulp
authors.forename: Warren D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Franke
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*