The 6-Minute Frame Running Test - A Field-based Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test for Individuals with Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a diverse childhood-onset motor disability that varies significantly in severity and impact. Individuals with more severe forms of CP, particularly those with whole-body involvement, often face substantial barriers to physical activity. These barriers are compounded by the limited availability of exercise options that can accommodate their specific needs. The forms of physical activity that may be available typically involve low levels of aerobic demand, which may not be sufficient to maintain and/or improve cardiovascular health. However, Frame Running, a parasport performed on a three-wheeled running frame, allows individuals with CP to participate in aerobic exercise at high intensity. The running frame, designed specifically for individuals with motor impairments such as CP, enables the assessment of aerobic capacity in a population otherwise excluded from traditional exercise modalities. The 6-Minute Frame Running Test (6-MFRT) has been validated as an effective measure for estimating maximum aerobic capacity in individuals with CP. It is easy to perform and only requires a running frame, a 200-400 m track, a heart rate monitor, a measuring tape or wheel, and a stopwatch. Thus, the 6-MFRT serves as a practical and reliable measure of aerobic capacity that can be used to assess health-related fitness and evaluate the effect of training interventions.