Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 18, 2026
Measurements of Motor Function and Other Clinical Outcome Parameters in Ambulant Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Published on: January 12, 2019
Reference Values for the 6-min Walk Distance in Healthy Children Age 7 to 12 Years in Brazil: Main Results of the
Lucas de Assis Pereira Cacau1, Vitor Oliveira Carvalho2, Alessandro Dos Santos Pin3
1Departamento de Fisioterapia e Pós-Graduaçáo em Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Aracaju, Brazil, as well as The GREAT Group (Grupo de Estudos em Atividade Física), Brazil. lucas.cacau@yahoo.com.br.
Insights
This study established reference values for the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in healthy Brazilian children aged 7-12. New equations predict 6MWT distance based on age, heart rate, and weight, accounting for regional differences.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Exercise Physiology
- Biostatistics
Background:
- The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is crucial for assessing functional capacity in children.
- Brazil lacks established 6MWT reference values for healthy children, necessitating country-specific prediction equations.
- Varied climatic, socioeconomic, and cultural factors in Brazil necessitate localized reference data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish reference values for the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in healthy Brazilian children.
- To develop a predictive equation for 6MWT distance tailored to the Brazilian pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, multi-center study involving 1,496 healthy children aged 7 to 12 years.
- Participants were recruited from public and private schools across all regions of Brazil.
- Data collected included height, weight, and 6-minute walk distance; statistical analysis used open-source software.
Main Results:
- Boys walked a higher average distance (531.1 m) than girls (506.2 m).
- Predictive equations for 6MWT distance were developed for boys and girls, incorporating age, heart rate change, weight, and regional factors (R1, R2).
Conclusions:
- Reference values for the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) have been successfully established for healthy children aged 7-12 in Brazil.
- The developed equations provide a tool for accurate interpretation of 6MWT results in this population.
Introduction:
Brazil is a country with great climatic, socioeconomic, and cultural differences that does not yet have a reference value for the 6-min walk test (6MWT) in healthy children. To avoid misinterpretation, the use of equations to predict the maximum walk distance should be established in each country.
Objectives:
We sought to establish reference values and to develop an equation to predict the 6-min walk distance for healthy children in Brazil.
Methods:
This is a cross-sectional multi-center study that included 1,496 healthy children, aged 7 to 12 y, assessed across 11 research sites in all regions of Brazil, and recruited from public and private schools in their respective regions. Each child was assessed for weight and height. Walk distance was our main outcome. An open-source software environment for statistical computing was used for statistical analysis.
Results:
We observed a higher average distance walked by boys (531.1 m) than by girls (506.2 m), with a difference of 24.9 m (P < .001). We established 6MWT reference values for boys with the following equation: Distance = (16.86 × age) + (1.89 × Δ heart rate) - (0.80 × weight) + (336.91 × R1) + (360.91 × R2). For girls the equation is as follows: Distance = (13.54 × age) + (1.62 × Δ heart rate) - (1.28 × weight) + (352.33 × R1) + (394.81 × R2).
Conclusion:
Reference values were established for the 6MWT in healthy children aged 7-12 y in Brazil.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:25Pulmonary Function Tests
Pulmonary Function Tests are crucial diagnostic tools for assessing respiratory function, particularly in patients with chronic respiratory disorders. They comprehensively evaluate lung volumes, ventilatory function, breathing mechanics, diffusion, and gas exchange. These tests help diagnose pulmonary diseases and play a significant role in monitoring disease progression, evaluating disability, and assessing response to therapy.
PFTs involve using a spirometer, a...
01:23Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(two-step method)
01:15Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(one-step method)
Prepare for the Procedure: