PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Emmylou Beekman
AU  - Ilse Mesters
AU  - Rik Gosselink
AU  - Mariska P M Klaassen
AU  - Erik J M Hendriks
AU  - Onno C P Van Schayck
AU  - Rob A de Bie
TI  - The first reference equations for the 6-minute walk distance over a 10 m course
AID  - 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2014-205228
DP  - 2014 Sep 01
TA  - Thorax
PG  - 867--868
VI  - 69
IP  - 9
4099  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/69/9/867.short
4100  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/69/9/867.full
SO  - Thorax2014 Sep 01; 69
AB  - Rationale As primary care practice space is mostly limited to 10 m, the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) over a 10 m course is a frequently used alternative to evaluate patients’ performance in COPD. Considering that course length significantly affects distance walked in 6 minutes (6MWD), this study aims to develop appropriate reference equations for the 10 m 6MWT. Methods 181 healthy subjects, aged 40–90 years, performed two standardised 6MWTs over a straight 10 m course in a cross-sectional study. Results Average distance achieved was 578±108 m and differed between males and females (p<0.001). Resulting sex-specific reference equations from multiple regression analysis included age, body mass index and change in heart rate, explaining 62% of the variance in 6MWD for males and 71% for females. Conclusions The presented reference equations are the first to evaluate 6MWD over a 10 m course and expand the usefulness of the 6MWT.