title: Screening for physical inactivity among adults: the value of distance walked in the six-minute walk test. A cross-sectional diagnostic study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Accelerometry provides objective measurement of physical activity levels, but is unfeasible in clinical practice. Thus, we aimed to identify physical fitness tests capable of predicting physical inactivity among adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diagnostic test study developed at a university laboratory and a diagnostic clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  188 asymptomatic subjects underwent assessment of physical activity levels through accelerometry, ergospirometry on treadmill, body composition from bioelectrical impedance, isokinetic muscle function, postural balance on a force platform and six-minute walk test. We conducted descriptive analysis and multiple logistic regression including age, sex, oxygen uptake, body fat, center of pressure, quadriceps peak torque, distance covered in six-minute walk test and steps/day in the model, as predictors of physical inactivity. We also determined sensitivity (S), specificity (Sp) and area under the curve of the main predictors by means of receiver operating characteristic curves.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of physical inactivity was 14%. The mean number of steps/day (≤ 5357) was the best predictor of physical inactivity (S = 99%; Sp = 82%). The best physical fitness test was a distance in the six-minute walk test and ≤ 96% of predicted values (S = 70%; Sp = 80%). Body fat > 25% was also significant (S = 83%; Sp = 51%). After logistic regression, steps/day and distance in the six-minute walk test remained predictors of physical inactivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The six-minute walk test should be included in epidemiological studies as a simple and cheap tool for screening for physical inactivity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Movement Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Evandro Fornias
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Sperandio
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Angiocorpore Institute of Cardiovascular Medicine, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rodolfo Leite
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Arantes
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Movement Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rodrigo Pereira
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Movement Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Agatha Caveda
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Matheus
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Movement Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vinícius Tonon
authors.initials: VT
authors.lastname: Lauria
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Movement Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mayara Silveira
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Bianchim
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Movement Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romiti
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Angiocorpore Institute of Cardiovascular Medicine, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antônio Ricardo de Toledo
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Gagliardi
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Movement Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Victor Zuniga
authors.initials: VZ
authors.lastname: Dourado
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000503:physiopathology; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D000068598:Data Accuracy; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D000070857:Walk Test / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards