Abstract
The 6-min walk test is a simple and accurate method to measure functional exercise capacity in children. We provide smooth reference curves for the modified 6-min walk test in 696 healthy children and adolescents aged 4–19 years, enabling calculation of sex-, age-, and height-specific Z-scores. Conclusion: These reference curves will allow more accurate grading of mobility and exercise capacity in sick or disabled children and monitoring the effects of intervention or treatment.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Abbreviations
- 6MWD:
-
6-min walk distance
- 6MWT:
-
6-min walk test
- SD:
-
Standard deviation
References
Altman DG (1993) Construction of age‐related reference centiles using absolute residuals. Stat Med 12(10):917–924
Bittner V, Weiner DH, Yusuf S, Rogers WJ, McIntyre KM, Bangdiwala SI, Kronenberg M, Kostis JB, Kohn RM, Guillotte M (1993) Prediction of mortality and morbidity with a 6-minute walk test in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. JAMA 270(14):1702–7
Clarke LA, Wraith JE, Beck M, Kolodny EH, Pastores GM, Muenzer J, Rapoport DM, Berger KI, Sidman M, Kakkis E, Coxk G (2009) Long-term efficacy and safety of laronidase in the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis I. Pediatrics 123(1):229–40
Geiger R, Strasak A, Treml B, Gasser K, Kleinsasser A, Fischer V, Geiger H, Loeckinger A, Stein JI (2007) Six-minute walk test in children and adolescents. J Pediatr 150(4):395–9
Grecco LAC, Zanon N, Sampaio LMM, Oliveira CS (2013) A comparison of treadmill training and overground walking in ambulant children with cerebral palsy: randomized controlled clinical trial. Clin Rehabil 27(8):686–696
Hostyn SV, de Carvalho WB, Johnston C, Braga JA (2013) Evaluation of functional capacity for exercise in children and adolescents with sickle-cell disease through the six-minute walk test. J Pediatr 89(6):588–594
Lammers AE, Hislop AA, Flynn Y, Haworth SG (2008) The 6-minute walk test: normal values for children of 4–11 years of age. Arch Dis Child 93(6):464–468
Li AM, Yin J, Yu CC, Tsang T, So HK, Wong E, Chan D, Hon EK, Sung R (2005) The six-minute walk test in healthy children: reliability and validity. Eur Respir J 25(6):1057–60
McDonald CM, Henricson EK, Han JJ, Abresch RT, Nicorici A, Elfring GL, Atkinson L, Reha A, Hirawat S, Miller LL (2010) The 6‐minute walk test as a new outcome measure in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Muscle Nerve 41(4):500–10
Miyamoto S, Nagaya N, Satoh T, Kyotani S, Sakamaki F, Fujita M, Nakanishi N, Miyatake K (2000) Clinical correlates and prognostic significance of six-minute walk test in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension: comparison with cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 161(2):487–92
Schiessl H, Frost HM, Jee WS (1998) Estrogen and bone-muscle strength and mass relationships. Bone 22(1):1–6
Ulrich S, Hildenbrand FF, Treder U, Fischler M, Keusch S, Speich R, Fasnacht M (2013) Reference values for the 6-minute walk test in healthy children and adolescents in Switzerland. BMC Pulm Med 13(1):1–11
Acknowledgments
This study was supported, in part, by an unrestricted grant from Actelion Pharmaceuticals, Austria.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no potential conflict of interest.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Communicated by Beat Steinmann
Ralf Geiger and Wolfgang Högler are joint senior authors.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Saraff, V., Schneider, J., Colleselli, V. et al. Sex-, age-, and height-specific reference curves for the 6-min walk test in healthy children and adolescents. Eur J Pediatr 174, 837–840 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-014-2454-8
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-014-2454-8