The Senior Fitness Test 6-Minute Walk Is Reliable In Two Different Environments

Abstract

When assessing the effectiveness of home-based geriatric exercise programs in rural communities, some environments preclude using an indoor gymnasium when administering the 6-minute walk component of the Senior Fitness Test. Parking lots or neighborhood sidewalks are often more accessible. PURPOSE To determine the comparability of the 6-minute walk test indoors and outdoors on different surfaces and varying numbers of right angle turns. METHODS Twenty eight chronically exercising adults ≥ age 65 walked outdoors on a paved concrete surface in a 20 yd. by 5 yd. rectangle (i.e., 50 yd. perimeter) following the Senior Fitness Test Manual protocol (Rikli & Jones, 2001). The same individuals also walked indoors on an oval track with a resilient surface (circumference 144.3 yds). Distances walked were measured with a distance measuring wheel. RESULTS Scores for the two methods of administering the test were internally consistent (Cronbach's α = .96). The participants walked farther on the oval track than around the rectangle (647 ± 21 vs. 585 ± 19 yds, p<0.001). Responses to the standard rectangular layout could be predicted from the oval layout by the equation [51.9 yds + 0.840(continuous walking distance), R2 = .85]. CONCLUSION Within participant responses are similar across both versions of the six-minute walk. The walking course layout affects the distance walked, but a simple equation makes the 2 layouts used here readily comparable. Supported by NIH Grant R01 AI49956