Prescribing walking training in interstitial lung disease from the 6-minute walk test

Endurance training during PR requires exercise prescription at sufficient intensity to achieve physiological benefits. This analysis sought to investigate whether walking training prescribed from 6-minute walk test (6MWT) average speed provides an appropriate training intensity for people with ILD during PR.

Individuals with ILD completed cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and 6MWT in random order. A 10-minute constant speed treadmill walk test (10MTW) was undertaken at 80% of the average 6MWT speed. Oxygen uptake (VO₂) was measured during all tests. Percentage VO₂peak during 10MTW was main outcome measure.

Eleven people with ILD (age 71 (8) years; forced vital capacity 73 (18) %predicted, 6-minute walk distance 481 (99) meters, and VO₂peak during CPET 1.3 (0.2) L.min^-1) undertook testing. Average VO₂peak during 10MTW was 91 (18) % of CPET VO₂peak [range 67-116%]. Participants who achieved a greater VO₂peak during CPET walked at a smaller %VO₂peak during 10MTW (r = -0.6; p = .04).

For people with ILD, walking training prescribed at 80% of 6MWT average speed can provide adequate exercise training intensity for PR.