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The Six-Minute Walk Test for adults with intellectual disability: a study of validity and reliability
Gabriella Nasuti1, Lynneth Stuart-Hill, Viviene A Temple
1School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria, BC, Canada.
Background:
The Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) has been used with clinical and healthy populations to assess functional capacity and cardiovascular fitness. The aim of this study was to determine the test-retest reliability of a modified-6MWT as well as concurrent validity of walk distance with peak oxygen uptake (VO₂ peak).
Method:
Participants were 13 adults (males = 7) with intellectual disability aged 18-44 years recruited from Special Olympics, and with no medical contraindications to exercise. The 6MWT was modified to include familiarisation, a 1:1 pacer, and encouragement every 15 s. Each participant performed the graded maximal treadmill test and the modified-6MWT twice.
Results:
Test-retest reliability of the modified-6MWT was ICC = .98, and linear regression revealed that the modified- 6MWT distance was significantly related to VO₂ peak (R = .84, p < .001).
Conclusions:
The modified-6MWT is easy to administer and score and shows acceptable validity and excellent reliability for assessing cardiovascular fitness in adults with intellectual disability.
