The first reference equations for the 6-minute walk distance over a 10 m course.
BACKGROUND
As primary care practice space is mostly limited to 10 m, the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) over a 10 m course is a frequently used alternative to evaluate patients' performance in COPD. Considering that course length significantly affects distance walked in 6 minutes (6MWD), this study aims to develop appropriate reference equations for the 10 m 6MWT.


METHODS
181 healthy subjects, aged 40-90 years, performed two standardised 6MWTs over a straight 10 m course in a cross-sectional study.


RESULTS
Average distance achieved was 578±108 m and differed between males and females (p<0.001). Resulting sex-specific reference equations from multiple regression analysis included age, body mass index and change in heart rate, explaining 62% of the variance in 6MWD for males and 71% for females.


CONCLUSIONS
The presented reference equations are the first to evaluate 6MWD over a 10 m course and expand the usefulness of the 6MWT.
Department of Epidemiology, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands Centre for Evidence Based Physiotherapy, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands Physical Therapy Section in Multidisciplinary Centre, ParaMedisch Centrum Sittard Zuid, Sittard, The Netherlands.
Emmylou
E
Beekman
Department of Epidemiology, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands Centre for Evidence Based Physiotherapy, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Ilse
I
Mesters
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium Department of Respiratory Rehabilitation and Respiratory Division, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Rik
R
Gosselink
Departement of Rehabilitation, University Centre for Chronic Diseases Dekkerswald (UCCZ), Groesbeek, The Netherlands.
Mariska P M
MP
Klaassen
Physical Therapy Practice, Fysiotherapie Maasstaete, Druten, The Netherlands.
Erik J M
EJ
Hendriks
Department of Family Medicine, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Onno C P
OC
Van Schayck
Department of Epidemiology, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands Centre for Evidence Based Physiotherapy, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Rob A
RA
de Bie
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014797:Vital Capacity
D010100:Oxygen
COPD Epidemiology; Clinical Epidemiology; Emphysema; Empyema; Exercise; Pulmonary Rehabilitation; Respiratory Measurement; Systemic Disease and Lungs