title: Measuring steady-state oxygen uptake during the 6-min walk test in adults with cerebral palsy:  feasibility and construct validity.
abstract: This study evaluated the feasibility of measuring steady-state oxygen uptake (VO2) during the 6-min walk test (6MWT) in adults with cerebral palsy (CP) who walk without support and whether there is construct validity for net 6MWT VO2 as a measure of their walking ability. Cardiorespiratory variables were assessed at rest and during the 6MWT in 15, independently ambulatory adults, 21-41 years old, with CP. The Gross Motor Function Measure dimensions D and E (GMFM-D and GMFM-E) quantified walking-related skills. Steady-state VO2 was achieved during the 6MWT. After controlling for body mass and speed, the net 6MWT VO2 was strongly related to GMFM-D (r=-0.58, ρ=0.03) and GMFM-E scores (r=-0.66, ρ=0.007). We conclude that for young adults with CP who walk without support, it is feasible to measure steady-state VO2 during the 6MWT and that the net 6MWT VO2 has construct validity as a measure of walking ability.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Rehabilitation, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada. desiree.maltais@rea.ulaval.ca
authors.forename: Désirée B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Maltais
authors.forename: Nancy-Michelle
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Robitaille
authors.forename: Francine
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dumas
authors.forename: Normand
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Boucher
authors.forename: Carol L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Richards
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005080:Exercise Test; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult