Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026
Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
Six-minute walk test-normal values of school children aged 7-12 y in India: a cross-sectional study
Cherishma D'silva1, Vaishali K, Prem Venkatesan
1Department of Physiotherapy, Center for Basic Science, Kasturba Medical College (Manipal University), Bejai Campus, Bejai, Mangalore, 575001 Karnataka, India.
Insights
This study establishes normal reference standards for the six-minute walk test in Indian children aged 7-12. Boys generally walked farther than girls, with vital signs remaining stable.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric pulmonology
- Exercise physiology
- Clinical reference standards
Background:
- The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a key functional assessment in children.
- Establishing age- and sex-specific reference values is crucial for accurate interpretation of test results in diverse populations.
- Previous reference standards may not be fully applicable to the Indian pediatric population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine normal reference standards for the six-minute walk test (6MWT) in healthy Indian children aged 7 to 12 years.
- To analyze sex-based differences in walk distance and physiological responses during the 6MWT.
- To provide a benchmark for clinical assessment of pediatric respiratory and cardiac conditions in India.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 400 healthy children aged 7-12 years recruited from Indian schools.
- Standardized six-minute walk test (6MWT) protocol adherence, as per ATS guidelines.
- Measurement of distance walked, heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), oxygen saturation (SpO2), and dyspnea levels.
Main Results:
- The mean 6MWT distance was 609 ± 166 meters, with a statistically significant difference between boys and girls (p < 0.001).
- Boys covered a greater distance (mean 670.74 m) than girls (mean 548.93 m).
- Heart rate and systolic blood pressure increased during the test, with stable diastolic blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and dyspnea levels.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first comprehensive reference standards for the 6MWT in healthy Indian children aged 7-12 years.
- Significant sex-based differences in walk distance were observed, highlighting the need for gender-specific interpretation.
- These findings will aid clinicians in evaluating pediatric functional capacity and diagnosing related conditions in India.
Objective:
To establish normal reference standards for six minute walk test of children aged between 7-12 y in India.
Methods:
Healthy children aged between 7 to 12 y were recruited randomly from the selected schools in India. 400 children were included .Six minute walk test (MWT) was performed according to standardized ATS guidelines. Distance walked in 6 min, Heart rate (HR), Blood pressure (BP), Oxygen saturation, anthropometric measurements and level of dyspnea were taken as outcome measures.
Results:
Mean distance walked in 6 min was 609 ± 166 m, with significant difference between boys and girls( p < 0.001). Boys covered more distance than girls. Heart rate increased from a baseline of 82.73 ± 1.63 to a maximum of 104.32 ± 3.11; heart rate recovery occurred at 5 min in both the genders. SBP increased from baseline 109 ± 2.38 to maximum of 121.86 ± 1.75 at the end of the test, with no significant increase in DBP which was 68.51 ± 2.21 and 69 ± 2.78 at the end of the test. No significant change in oxygen saturation and dyspnea was observed during the test. Mean oxygen saturation was 97% at baseline, with an immediate drop of 96%.
Conclusions:
In this study, the mean distance covered in 6 min by boys was 670.74 ± 86.21 m and girls were 548.93 ± 44.78 m.
