Teste de caminhada de seis minutos em diferentes faixas etárias e índices de massa corporal

Abstract

Six-minute walk test at different ages and body mass index Introduction: Submaximal tests have been chosen to evaluate functional status because of their practicality and low cost. Objective: To correlate the distance walked during a six-minute test with age and body mass index, and to verify the need for applying a second test. Method: 122 healthy Brazilians aged between 18 and 80 years who had a sedentary lifestyle performed two tests that consisted of walking as far as possible over a six-minute period. Their weights and heights were assessed by calculating the body mass index. The data were expressed as means and standard deviations. The statistical analyses were performed using Student's t test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation. Results: A strong correlation was found between the two distances walked when all the subjects were analyzed without age divisions. When the subjects were divided into three groups according to age, there were significant differences (p 60 years)= 457.39 m ± 64.1. The subjects with body mass index 25 and 35 (457.35 m ± 92.18). Conclusion: The results found in this study confirm the reproducibility of the six-minute walk test and the sensitivity that this test has for evaluating the performance and functional capacity of individuals with different ages and body mass index.