Reference Equations for the Six-Minute Walk Test in Healthy Adults in Southwestern Colombia: a Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction. The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a submaximal test to assess functional capacity for exercise. In Colombia, the distance of the 6MWT is compared with those predicted by reference equations from other countries. Besides, pedometric measurements have not been included in the test. O...

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Main Authors: Esther Cecilia Wilches-Luna, Hamilton Elías Rosero-Carvajal, Álvaro Javier Arias Balanta, Diana Marcela Quintero Medina, Mauricio Hernández-Carrillo, Jhonatan Betancourt Peña
Format: Article
Language:Spanish
Published: Fundación Universitaria María Cano 2025-04-01
Series:Revista de Investigación e Innovación en Ciencias de la Salud
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Online Access:https://riics.info/index.php/RCMC/article/view/362
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author Esther Cecilia Wilches-Luna
Hamilton Elías Rosero-Carvajal
Álvaro Javier Arias Balanta
Diana Marcela Quintero Medina
Mauricio Hernández-Carrillo
Jhonatan Betancourt Peña
author_facet Esther Cecilia Wilches-Luna
Hamilton Elías Rosero-Carvajal
Álvaro Javier Arias Balanta
Diana Marcela Quintero Medina
Mauricio Hernández-Carrillo
Jhonatan Betancourt Peña
author_sort Esther Cecilia Wilches-Luna
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a submaximal test to assess functional capacity for exercise. In Colombia, the distance of the 6MWT is compared with those predicted by reference equations from other countries. Besides, pedometric measurements have not been included in the test. Objective. To establish reference values for the distance walked in the six-minute walk test (6MWT) and the equation according to sex in healthy people in the southwestern Colombia. Methods. Observational, cross-sectional, and correlational study. There were 336 volunteers, 227 males, with no history of respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, or comorbidities limiting gait. Subjects performed the 6MWT twice on the same day in the morning, 30 minutes apart. The pedometer was placed at the starting point; the laps, meters, and number of steps in each test were recorded, selecting the one with the best distance. Linear regression was performed to obtain the reference equations by sex, according to age, weight, height, and number of steps. The R2 was used as a measure of adjustment. Results. The distance walked was greater in males compared to females (616.7 [p25-75: 566.1-657.0] vs 588.0 [p25-75: 544.5-640.0]; p = 0.008). Two equations were obtained by sex, for females with R2 = 0.54 and males with R2 = 0.42. Conclusion. The distance walked in 6MWT in Colombian subjects was more remarkable in males than females. Height and steps were the most significant predictors of the 6MWT length in the regression equations for females and males, with R2 of 0.54 and 0.42, respectively.
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spelling doaj-art-e17b1421d2ab4009a3addafcf3058feb2025-08-20T03:14:13ZspaFundación Universitaria María CanoRevista de Investigación e Innovación en Ciencias de la Salud2665-20562025-04-017210.46634/riics.362Reference Equations for the Six-Minute Walk Test in Healthy Adults in Southwestern Colombia: a Cross-Sectional StudyEsther Cecilia Wilches-Luna0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3255-7607Hamilton Elías Rosero-Carvajal1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8831-9910Álvaro Javier Arias Balanta2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6799-8547Diana Marcela Quintero Medina3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3803-8421Mauricio Hernández-Carrillo4https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8816-7726Jhonatan Betancourt Peña5https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7292-7628University of ValleUniversity of ValleUniversity of ValleUniversity of ValleUniversity of ValleUniversity of Valle Introduction. The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a submaximal test to assess functional capacity for exercise. In Colombia, the distance of the 6MWT is compared with those predicted by reference equations from other countries. Besides, pedometric measurements have not been included in the test. Objective. To establish reference values for the distance walked in the six-minute walk test (6MWT) and the equation according to sex in healthy people in the southwestern Colombia. Methods. Observational, cross-sectional, and correlational study. There were 336 volunteers, 227 males, with no history of respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, or comorbidities limiting gait. Subjects performed the 6MWT twice on the same day in the morning, 30 minutes apart. The pedometer was placed at the starting point; the laps, meters, and number of steps in each test were recorded, selecting the one with the best distance. Linear regression was performed to obtain the reference equations by sex, according to age, weight, height, and number of steps. The R2 was used as a measure of adjustment. Results. The distance walked was greater in males compared to females (616.7 [p25-75: 566.1-657.0] vs 588.0 [p25-75: 544.5-640.0]; p = 0.008). Two equations were obtained by sex, for females with R2 = 0.54 and males with R2 = 0.42. Conclusion. The distance walked in 6MWT in Colombian subjects was more remarkable in males than females. Height and steps were the most significant predictors of the 6MWT length in the regression equations for females and males, with R2 of 0.54 and 0.42, respectively. https://riics.info/index.php/RCMC/article/view/362Exercise testWalkingExercise toleranceReference valuesRehabilitationPhysical therapy
spellingShingle Esther Cecilia Wilches-Luna
Hamilton Elías Rosero-Carvajal
Álvaro Javier Arias Balanta
Diana Marcela Quintero Medina
Mauricio Hernández-Carrillo
Jhonatan Betancourt Peña
Reference Equations for the Six-Minute Walk Test in Healthy Adults in Southwestern Colombia: a Cross-Sectional Study
Revista de Investigación e Innovación en Ciencias de la Salud
Exercise test
Walking
Exercise tolerance
Reference values
Rehabilitation
Physical therapy
title Reference Equations for the Six-Minute Walk Test in Healthy Adults in Southwestern Colombia: a Cross-Sectional Study
title_full Reference Equations for the Six-Minute Walk Test in Healthy Adults in Southwestern Colombia: a Cross-Sectional Study
title_fullStr Reference Equations for the Six-Minute Walk Test in Healthy Adults in Southwestern Colombia: a Cross-Sectional Study
title_full_unstemmed Reference Equations for the Six-Minute Walk Test in Healthy Adults in Southwestern Colombia: a Cross-Sectional Study
title_short Reference Equations for the Six-Minute Walk Test in Healthy Adults in Southwestern Colombia: a Cross-Sectional Study
title_sort reference equations for the six minute walk test in healthy adults in southwestern colombia a cross sectional study
topic Exercise test
Walking
Exercise tolerance
Reference values
Rehabilitation
Physical therapy
url https://riics.info/index.php/RCMC/article/view/362
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