RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The six-minute walk test in healthy children: reliability and validity
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 1057
OP 1060
DO 10.1183/09031936.05.00134904
VO 25
IS 6
A1 A. M. Li
A1 J. Yin
A1 C. C. W. Yu
A1 T. Tsang
A1 H. K. So
A1 E. Wong
A1 D. Chan
A1 E. K. L. Hon
A1 R. Sung
YR 2005
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/25/6/1057.abstract
AB The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the 6-min walk test (6MWT) in healthy children. Chinese secondary school students were randomly recruited. They attended the current authors' unit on two occasions, separated by 2 weeks. Physical examination and standardised maximum incremental exercise testing on a treadmill were performed on the first visit. Spirometry and 6MWT were carried out on the second visit. A randomly selected subgroup was invited to return for repeat 6MWT at an interval of 2–4 weeks. Seventy-eight subjects were recruited; however, four failed to achieve maximal effort on exercise test. The final group included 43 young females and the mean±sd age of the subjects was 14.2±1.2 yrs. Physical examination was unremarkable in all cases. The mean±sd per cent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second was 91.4±10.2%. Concurrent validity was demonstrated by good correlation between the 6-min walking distance and maximum oxygen uptake determined on the exercise treadmill. Test–retest reliability was undertaken in 52 subjects, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (95% confidence interval) was calculated as 0.94 (0.89–0.96). In addition, Bland and Altman plots demonstrated a high degree of repeatability. In healthy children, the 6-min walk test is a reliable and valid functional test for assessing exercise tolerance and endurance.