6 Minute walk test
What is the 6 minute walk test calculator?
The 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is an assessment procedure used to measure the distance a person can walk in 6 minutes (6MWD). It measures aerobic capacity and endurance and provides valuable information about cardiovascular fitness and overall physical health that helps diagnose and monitor. This test is commonly used in clinical settings for chronic disease management and rehabilitation programs to track progress.
How to do a 6 minute walk test?
- Enter your age, weight, and height (BMI).
- Input the total distance you covered in six minutes.
- Your performance will be compared to average norms using the calculator’s reference values and predictive equation for 6MWD
- Find out how many calories you’ve burned while walking with our Calorie Counter or determine your body mass index (BMI).
What is the 6 minute walking test indication?
Tests are useful in many situations:
• Pre- and Post-Treatment Monitoring:
This test is useful for monitoring recovery after lung surgeries or treatments for pulmonary hypertension (HTN), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or heart failure (MI), along with assessing recovery in patients after COVID-19.
• One-Time Functional Measurement:
Assessing geriatric care patients with diseases such as peripheral vascular disease or cystic fibrosis can benefit from this.
• Predicting Health Outcomes:
It helps predict potential health risks, such as mortality in patients with COPD or heart failure.
Contraindications for the 6MWT
There are conditions when the 6MWT is prohibited, such as:
| 1. Recent heart attack (Myocardial infarction, MI) |
| 2. Severe chest pain or unstable angina |
| 3. An elevated blood pressure, 180\100 mmHg, (HTN) |
| 4. heart rate at rest <120\m. |
However, when you start the process, you need to monitor the patient; if the following sign of discomfort appears, stop the test and take a rest along with the necessary medical attention.
| 1. Chest pain |
| 2. Severe dyspnea (difficulty in breathing), evaluate using the Borg scale |
| 3. Leg cramps |
| 4. Staggering, (unable to maintain balance or in shock) |
| 5. Diaphoresis (excessive sweating) |
| 6. A pale or ashy appearance |
Preparation and safety measures for the 6MWT
A safe indoor space with a 30-meter walking course is needed for the test. The course should be marked clearly, and a chair should be placed at the end of the course for the patient to rest if needed. Remove any obstacles or hazards from the walking path to avoid test-related accidents. The required equipment for the test includes a stopwatch, pulse oximeter, and emergency supplies. Patients should wear shoes and clothes that are comfortable, and they should keep taking their medications as usual.
| PREPARATION for 6mwt |
|---|
| 1- 30-meter enclosed corridor |
| 2- A stopwatch, |
| 3- Pulse oximeter |
| 4- Emergency supplies. |
| 5- Comfortable shoes and clothes |
| 6- Have a light meal |
| 7- Appropriate rest, 10 minutes to 2 hours max. |
Monitoring during the 6MWT:
While performing the test, observe the patient’s condition and the total distance walked. Also, vital signs such as heart rate and oxygen levels are recorded.
Factors affecting the 6MWD
There are several factors that influence the predicted values. As the age increases, its estimated equation decreases in contrast with young age. So, the 6 minute walk test age norms and values depend on the individual’s age, gender, height, weight, and overall health condition.
| Factors reducing the 6MWD | Factors increasing the 6MWD |
|---|---|
| 1. Shorter height | Taller height |
| 2. Older age | Young and energetic |
| 3. Higher body weight | Normal body weight |
| 4. Gender, Female | Gender, Male |
| 5. Impaired cognition | Increase Oxygen volume ( VO2 max) |
| 6. Pulmonary disease (COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung disease | High motivation |
| 7. Cardiovascular disease (angina, MI, CHF, stroke,) | Previous Test Experience |
| 8. Musculoskeletal disorders (arthritis, ankle, knee, or hip injuries) |
How to calculate the 6 minute walk test:
In the early 2000s, new sex-specific equations were created. It predicts walking distance in healthy adults based on height, weight, age, and sex.
here are updated Predicted Distance Equations:
MEN:
6MWD (in meters) = 6.9 × height (cm) – 4.8 × age (years) – 1.55 × weight (kg) – 290
WOMEN:
6MWD(in meters) = 1.95 × height ( cm) – 2.15 × weight(kg) – (5.5 × age(years) + 630
6 Minute walk test Norms:
These equations predict healthy adult distances. Here’s how to interpret the results:
Lower Limits for Norms
The lowest norms for healthy results are:
MEN:
Lower Limit = 6MWD – 150
WOMEN:
Lower Limit = 6MWD – 140
6 minute walk test normal values for a healthy person typically range from 400-700 meters. The patient’s result of 420 meters falls within this normal range, suggesting good cardiovascular health and fitness.
6 Minute Walk Test Calculator — Practical Example
Take a practical example to apply these equations. Consider a 68-year-old man who is 175 cm (5.7 ft) tall and weighs 75 kg (165 lbs). He walked 420 meters in his 6MWT. Let’s see how his performance compares to the predicted distance.
Step 1: Calculate the Predicted 6MWD:
6MWD = (6.9 × height) – (4.8 × age) – (1.55 × weight) – 290
= (6.9 × 175 cm) – (4.8 × 68 yo) – (1.55 × 75 kg) – 290
= 1207.5 – 326.4 – 116.25 – 290
6MWD = 474.85 meters
Step 2: Determine if the Result Is in the Normal Range:
To check if the result is normal, we calculate the lower limit:
Lower Limit = 6MWD – 150
= 474.85 – 150
Lower Limit = 324.85 meters
In this case, the patient’s result falls within the normal range because his performance was higher than the lower limit (420 meters).
Step 3: Calculate the Percentage of Expected Distance:
Now, we calculate what percentage of the expected distance the patient achieved:
Expected percentage = (420 / 474.85) × 100
= 0.88 × 100
= 88%
This means the patient walked 88% of the predicted distance, which is good for his age and condition.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How accurate is the 6-minute walk test?
The 6-minute walk test is considered a reliable and valid measure. It helps to evaluate the functional exercise capacity in various populations. It has been widely used in clinical settings. The objectives are to assess cardiorespiratory fitness and monitor changes over time.
What should I do if my result is below the norm?
If your result is below the norm, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional. Once they know what’s going on, they make a plan for how to make things better. They may recommend further tests or interventions. Thereby, you will resolve any concerns related to your functional exercise capacity.
How many steps is a 6-minute walk?
The number of steps taken during a 6-minute walk can vary depending on factors such as the length of your stride and your walking pace. On average, a person may take around 400 to 700 steps during a 6-minute walk.
According to a recent National Institutes of Health report, a healthy person walks 712 steps in 6 minutes. While patents like COPD take around 511 steps on average in the same time frame.
Here is highlighting the impact of COPD on walking endurance in comparison with a healthy person.
| Healthy subjects | Patients with COPD | |
|---|---|---|
| 6MWD (m) | 486.9 (35.0) | 289.5 (123.7) |
| Total number of steps | 711.9 (47.1) | 511.0 (153.5) |
| Mean NSPS (step/s) | 1.98 (0.13) | 1.42 (0.43) |
| CV of NSPS (%) | 7.4 (1.3) | 44.7 (45.3) |
What is the 6 minute walk test for COPD?
The 6-minute walk test for COPD measures a patient’s walking distance in 6 minutes, furthermore, it also assess functional capacity and treatment response. According to the NIH, it standardizes walking endurance at 511 steps.
How do you calculate a 6 minute walk?
The total distance walked in meters or feet within the 6-minute time frame is the metric to use when calculating a 6-minute walk test. However, in order to calculate the average walking speed in meters or feet per minute, divide this distance by six.
