The correlation between six-minute walking distance and maximum phonation time in healthy adults

This study aimed to determine the association between six-minute walking distance (6MWD) and maximum phonation time (MPT) in healthy adults.

The cross-sectional study was conducted with 50 sedentary nonsingers (32 females, 18 males; mean age: 33.5±8.3 years; range, 18 to 50 years) between February 2021 and April 2021. Subjects with a history of smoking, respiratory symptoms in the last two weeks, and heart, lung, musculoskeletal, and balance problems were excluded. The measurements of MPT and 6MWD were carried out by two different assessors blinded to each other.

The mean MPT was higher in male subjects (27.4±7.4 sec vs. 20.6±5.1 sec, p<0.001). In the bivariate analysis, there was a significant correlation between MPT and 6MWD (r=0.621, p<0.001), as well as body height (r=0.421, p=0.002) and the mean fundamental frequency (r=-0.429, p=0.002); however, no association was found with age, body weight, and the mean sound pressure level. After multiple regression, 6MWD was the only factor associated with MPT (p=0.002).

There is a significant association between 6MWD and MPT in healthy adults, and the results suggest that aerobic capacity might have a role in improving the ability to sustain phonation.