The six-minute walk test in obese youth: reproducibility, validity, and prediction equation to assess aerobic power.
OBJECTIVE
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 (VO(2max)).


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 VO(2max). The prediction equation is VO2 max (ml.kg.min(-1)) = 26.9 + 0.014 × 6 MWT (meters) - 0.38 × BMI (kg/m((2))).


CONCLUSIONS
In obese youth, the 6 MWT is a reproducible and valid test for assessing aerobic power. A prediction equation was developed to estimate VO(2)max, using distance walked in 6MWT and BMI.  [Box: see text].
CIC-PT-9301-Inserm-CH&U of Lille, CHRU of Lille, Lille, France. jeremy.vanhelst@hotmail.fr
Jérémy
J
Vanhelst
Paul Stephen
PS
Fardy
Julia
J
Salleron
Laurent
L
Béghin
D000293:Adolescent; D001823:Body Composition; D002648:Child; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016138:Walking