A 6-minute walking test is done to check heart and lung function. Find out how to prepare for the test and how it can help you.
If you aren’t in the habit of walking every morning or evening, six minutes at a time can seem like a long time. But if you have lung or heart problems, you’ll want to know how serious it is. This is where the 6-minute walk test comes into play. This is a common test that measures how far you can walk in 6 minutes while sharing your feelings with a medical professional. If your heart and lungs aren’t strong, you may feel short of breath or have difficulty walking for six minutes. In addition to assessing people with heart or lung disease, the 6-minute walk test can also be used to measure the exercise capacity of older people with other health conditions, such as rheumatic diseases such as osteoarthritis. .
What is the 6-minute walk test?
The 6-minute walk test is a simple measurement performed in clinical and rehabilitation settings to assess a person’s functional athletic capacity. This test is easy and safe and does not require sophisticated equipment. According to a study published in 2019 in Therapeutic Advances In Cardiovascular Disease, it assesses a person’s submaximal level of functional capacity during six minutes of walking on a flat, hard surface.
The 6-minute walk test is safe and easy. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock
“It’s typically used in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension,” says physical therapist and fitness expert Dr. Aijaz Ashai. Arthritis, spinal cord injuries, and muscle disorders are also some of the conditions for which this test can be used.
Purpose of the 6 minute walk test
The purpose of the 6-minute walk test is to test a person’s cardiovascular and pulmonary endurance. “Especially for people with chronic illnesses, it allows us to track changes in exercise capacity over time,” says the expert. This test measures cardiovascular and lung function, so serious problems can be detected early so that intervention can be initiated.
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“It may also encourage people to engage in some type of physical activity, which is an essential behavioral aspect of staying healthy,” the experts say. It can also be applied in the rehabilitation field to monitor progress during recovery, after surgery or treatment of chronic diseases.
How is the 6-minute walk test performed?
The steps for this test are:
Participants will be given a brief explanation of the test and what they are expected to do. A six-minute round trip over a predetermined distance (usually 30 meters). Total distance traveled in meters is recorded, and additional observations such as heart rate, perceived exertion, and oxygen saturation are recorded. These distances are compared to standard values based on age, gender, and health status to assess an individual’s functional capacity.
There are a few things to keep in mind before taking the 6-minute walk test.
Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Please stay hydrated before the test. However, avoid excessive fluid intake. Do a light warm-up exercise before the test. Avoid heavy meals, caffeine, and stimulants before the test as they can affect your heart rate and perceived exertion. Please check with your doctor your medication intake before the test. Warm up before taking the 6-minute walk test. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
What is a good score on the 6-minute walk test?
According to a 2006 study published in Respiratory Medicine, most adults are considered healthy if they can score between 400 and 700 meters in six minutes. “An older person’s test score should be around 300-600m. People with chronic illnesses may have lower scores, but anything below 300m means they have significant functional impairment. “It’s possible,” says Dr. Ashai.
Being able to walk longer distances suggests improved cardiovascular health, endurance, and functional capacity. While this may indicate that a person can engage in daily activities without experiencing extreme fatigue, distances significantly below the demographic average may indicate reduced functional capacity or limited physical health. may indicate. This may prompt further evaluation and intervention, such as rehabilitation or lifestyle changes.
Who should not take the 6-minute walk test?
According to a study published in StatPearls in 2023, people with uncontrolled high blood pressure and a resting heart rate above 120 beats per minute should avoid taking this test. People who should not take the 6-minute walk test include:
People who may have recently had surgery People who have severe joint problems People who are at increased risk of falls People who have a history of acute coronary syndrome, which is a variety of health conditions associated with a sudden reduction in blood flow to the heart. People People with acute respiratory failure
summary
The 6-minute walking test can be done at your own pace and will help you find out how well your heart and lungs are working. It serves as an indicator of cardiovascular and pulmonary function, allowing early intervention if necessary. Frequent follow-up and evaluations can help you better manage your health and improve your quality of life. Just walk as far as you can in 6 minutes on a flat, straight course.
