title: 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).
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nasuti
authors.forename: Lynneth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stuart-Hill
authors.forename: Viviene A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Temple
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking; D055815:Young Adult