Two-minute walk test: Reference equations for healthy adults in China

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Clinical Assessment
• Biostatistics

Background:

• The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a common exercise capacity measure but has limitations.
• The two-minute walk test (2MWT) is increasingly used as an alternative.
• Establishing population-specific reference values for the 2MWT is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop reference equations for the two-minute walk distance (2MWD).
• To assess exercise capacity in healthy Chinese adults aged 18-85 years.
• To provide a standardized tool for clinical application.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 973 healthy Chinese adults (aged 18-85).
• Administered two standardized 2MWTs, using the longer distance for analysis.
• Employed stepwise multiple regression with age, height, and weight to derive equations.

Main Results:

• The mean 2MWD across all participants was 199.1 ± 25.81 meters.
• Age and height were significant predictors of 2MWD.
• These factors explained 35% (males) and 34% (females) of the variance in walking distance.

Conclusions:

• Successfully determined reference equations for predicting 2MWD in healthy Chinese adults.
• These established 2MWD standards offer valuable benchmarks for medical practice.
• The findings support the 2MWT's utility in specific clinical contexts and populations.