Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 17, 2026
Standing Neurophysiological Assessment of Lower Extremity Muscles Post-Stroke
Published on: July 26, 2021
The 6-min step test elicits higher physiological responses than the 6-min walk test in people with stroke: A
Augusto Boening1, Larissa Tavares Aguiar2, Janayna Avance3
1Center of Health Sciences, Discipline of Physiotherapy, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil; Discipline of Physiotherapy, Faculdade Multivix, Cariacica, Espírito Santo, Brazil.
Objective:
To investigate if the 6-min step test elicits the same or higher physiological responses and its adverse events in comparison with the 6-min walk test after stroke.
Methods:
A cross-sectional, exploratory study was performed. The 6-min step test and the 6-min walk test were performed by individuals with chronic stroke. Physiological parameters (i.e., systolic and diastolic blood pressure, dyspnea, leg fatigue, heart rate and peripheral oxygen saturation) and adverse events were examined.
Results:
Fifty-seven individuals who have had a stroke (33 men), with a mean age of 58 years (SD 14) were included. The 6-min step test elicited higher levels of dyspnea (MD 1 point out of 10; 95 % CI 0.5 to 2) and leg fatigue (MD 2 points out of 10; 95 % CI 1 to 2) immediately after tests. In addition, heart rate was progressively higher (7-15 bpm) during the 6-min step test than the 6-min walk test. Immediately after the tests, heart rate was still higher for the 6-min step test (MD 17 bpm; 95 % CI 11 to 22). Two adverse events were reported during the 6-min step test.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the 6-min step test demands more from the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems, as higher levels of heart rate, dyspnea and leg fatigue were achieved in comparison with the 6-min walk test after stroke.
