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Normative data for the 6-min walk test in 11-14 year-olds: a population-based study
Mario Kasović1,2, Lovro Štefan3,4,5, Vilko Petrić6
1Department of General and Applied Kinesiology, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Horvaćanski zavoj 15, Zagreb, Croatia.
Insights
This study provides the first population-based normal data for the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in healthy children aged 11-14 years. Findings highlight children in lower percentiles as candidates for targeted interventions to improve exercise capacity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Exercise Physiology
- Clinical Biomechanics
- Public Health
Background:
- The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is a key measure of exercise capacity in pediatric chronic diseases.
- Limited population-based normative data exists for healthy children.
- This study addresses the need for normative 6MWT data in a large, healthy pediatric cohort.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish population-based normative data for the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in healthy children aged 11 to 14 years.
- To provide reference values for assessing exercise capacity in this demographic.
- To identify potential target groups for intervention based on performance percentiles.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 4352 healthy children aged 11-14 years.
- The primary outcome was the distance covered during the 6-minute walk test (6MWT).
- Sex- and age-specific percentile values were calculated, with statistical analysis of differences and correlations.
Main Results:
- Mean 6MWT distance was 576 ± 93 m for boys and 545 ± 92 m for girls.
- Walking speed averaged 98 ± 5 m/min for boys and 91 ± 6 m/min for girls.
- Significant positive correlations were found between 6MWT distance and age, height, and weight, with a negative correlation to BMI.
Conclusions:
- This study presents the first population-based normative data for the 6MWT in healthy 11-14 year olds.
- Lower percentile performers represent a group that may benefit from targeted interventions.
- These normative data are crucial for accurate interpretation of 6MWT results in clinical and research settings.
Background:
The 6-min walk test (6MWT) has become an established measure for assessing exercise capacity in children with chronic diseases. However, little evidence has been provided regarding population-based normal data in healthy children. The main purpose of the study was to provide normative data in a large sample of children.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, 4352 children between 11 and 14 years were recruited (66% girls). The main outcome measure was the distance walked for six minutes. Sex- and age-specific percentile values (5th, 15th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 85th and 95th) for the 6MWT were created and the differences and correlations were examined by the analysis of variance and Pearson's coefficient of correlation.
Results:
The mean distance walked in 6 min was 576 ± 93 m in boys and 545 ± 92 m in girls, respectively. The mean walking speed for boys and girls was 98 ± 5 m/min and 91 ± 6 m/min. Older boys and girls performed better, compared to their younger counterparts (p for age < 0.001). The 6MWT was significantly correlated with age (r = 0.24, p < 0.001), height (r = 0.09, p < 0.001), weight (r = - 0.13, p < 0.001) and body-mass index (r = - 0.26, p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
This is the first population-based study aiming to provide normative data for the 6MWT in healthy children between 11 to 14 years. Children in lower percentiles are 'target groups' for special intervention aiming to enhance the performance.
