Six-minute walk distance in healthy Singaporean adults cannot be predicted using reference equations derived from Caucasian populations

Objectives:  The 6‐min walk test (6MWT) is commonly used to assess the functional exercise capacity of individuals with cardiopulmonary disease. Recent studies have established regression equations to predict the 6‐min walk distance (6MWD) in healthy Caucasian populations; however, regression equati...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Respirology (Carlton, Vic.) Vic.), 2006-03, Vol.11 (2), p.211-216
Main Authors: POH, Hermione, EASTWOOD, Peter R., CECINS, Nola M., HO, Kheng Thye, JENKINS, Sue C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
6-min walk distance
6-min walk test
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Body Composition
European Continental Ancestry Group
exercise test
Exercise Test - standards
Female
healthy subjects
Heart Rate
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Reference Standards
Reference Values
Singapore
Spirometry
walk test
Walking - physiology
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Summary:Objectives:  The 6‐min walk test (6MWT) is commonly used to assess the functional exercise capacity of individuals with cardiopulmonary disease. Recent studies have established regression equations to predict the 6‐min walk distance (6MWD) in healthy Caucasian populations; however, regression equations have yet to be established for the Singaporean population. The aim of this study was to determine 6MWD in healthy Singaporeans and identify contributors to 6MWD in this population. We also compared measured 6MWD with predicted 6MWD from two regression equations derived in Caucasian subjects. Methodology:  Thirty‐five healthy subjects (32 Chinese, 16 men) aged between 45 and 85 years performed three walking tests using a standardized protocol. 6MWD was defined as the greatest distance achieved from the three tests. Heart rate (HR) was recorded each minute during the 6MWT. Other measurements included age, height, leg length, smoking history and self‐reported physical activity. Results:  6MWD was 560 ± 105 m and was not significantly different between men and women (P = 0.19). 6MWD was related to age (r = −0.36, P = 0.03), height (r = 0.35, P = 0.04), leg length (r = 0.38, P = 0.02) and the maximum HR achieved on the 6MWT when expressed as a percentage of the predicted maximum HR (%predHRmax, r = 0.73, P 
ISSN:1323-7799
1440-1843
DOI:10.1111/j.1440-1843.2006.00820.x