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[Reference Equations for the 6-Minute Walk Test in Healthy Individuals.]
1Departamento de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, São Paulo, Brasil.
Arquivos Brasileiros De Cardiologia
|March 2, 2011
Summary
Reference equations for the six-minute walk test (6MWT) are crucial for assessing exercise capacity. Foreign prediction equations for 6MWD are not applicable to Brazilians, necessitating population-specific data.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- Clinical Exercise Physiology
Background:
- The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is widely used clinically to assess exercise capacity.
- Existing reference equations for predicting the six-minute walk distance (6MWD) vary.
- International equations may not accurately reflect 6MWD in diverse populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically review studies on 6MWD reference equations.
- To compare international findings with recent Brazilian data.
- To determine the applicability of existing equations to the Brazilian population.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of Portuguese and English literature (LILACS, SCIELO, MEDLINE, PUBMED).
- Analysis of studies evaluating normal values and reference equations for 6MWD.
- Comparison of international reference equations with Brazilian 6MWD data.
Main Results:
- Demographic factors (age, sex, weight, height) and BMI significantly correlate with 6MWD.
- Established equations explain 25-66% of 6MWD variability.
- International reference equations were found to be inapplicable to the Brazilian population.
Conclusions:
- Significant differences in 6MWT performance exist between populations, even with standardization.
- Development of specific reference equations for the Brazilian population is necessary.
- Brazilian-derived equations are recommended for interpreting 6MWT in Brazilian patients with chronic diseases impacting exercise capacity.
