Reference Equations for the Six-Minute Walk Test in Healthy Adults in Southwestern Colombia: a Cross-Sectional Study

Ecuaciones de referencia para la prueba de marcha de seis minutos en adultos sanos del suroccidente colombiano: un estudio transversal

Published 2025-04-23

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Vol. 7 No. 2 (2025)
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Wilches-Luna EC, Rosero-Carvajal HE, Arias Balanta Álvaro J, Quintero Medina DM, Hernández-Carrillo M, Betancourt Peña J. Reference Equations for the Six-Minute Walk Test in Healthy Adults in Southwestern Colombia: a Cross-Sectional Study. Rev. Investig. Innov. Cienc. Salud [Internet]. 2025 Apr. 23 [cited 2025 Jun. 27];7(2):1-13. Available from: https://riics.info/index.php/RCMC/article/view/362
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https://doi.org/10.46634/riics.362
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Esther Cecilia Wilches-Luna
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https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3255-7607
Hamilton Elías Rosero-Carvajal
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https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8831-9910
Álvaro Javier Arias Balanta
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https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6799-8547
Diana Marcela Quintero Medina
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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3803-8421
Mauricio Hernández-Carrillo
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https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8816-7726
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Esther Cecilia Wilches-Luna,

1 Facultad de Salud; Universidad del Valle; Cali; Colombia.

2 Grupo de Investigación Ejercicio y Salud Cardiopulmonar (GIESC); Universidad del Valle; Cali; Colombia.

Hamilton Elías Rosero-Carvajal,

1 Grupo de Investigación Ejercicio y Salud Cardiopulmonar (GIESC); Universidad del Valle; Cali; Colombia.

2 Facultad de Salud y Rehabilitación; Institución Universitaria Escuela Nacional del Deporte; Cali; Colombia.

3 Unidad de Medicina Física y Rehabilitación; Hospital Universitario del Valle; Cali; Colombia.

Álvaro Javier Arias Balanta,

1 Grupo de Investigación Ejercicio y Salud Cardiopulmonar (GIESC); Universidad del Valle; Cali; Colombia.

2 Facultad de Salud y Rehabilitación; Institución Universitaria Escuela Nacional del Deporte; Cali; Colombia.

3 Unidad de Medicina Física y Rehabilitación; Hospital Universitario del Valle; Cali; Colombia.

Diana Marcela Quintero Medina,

Facultad de Salud; Universidad del Valle; Cali; Colombia.

Mauricio Hernández-Carrillo,

1 Facultad de Salud; Universidad del Valle; Cali; Colombia.

2 Facultad de Salud y Rehabilitación; Institución Universitaria Escuela Nacional del Deporte; Cali; Colombia.

Jhonatan Betancourt Peña,

1 Facultad de Salud; Universidad del Valle; Cali; Colombia.

2 Facultad de Salud y Rehabilitación; Institución Universitaria Escuela Nacional del Deporte; Cali; Colombia.

Introduction. The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a submaximal test to assess functional capacity for exercise. In Colombia, the distance of the 6MWT is compared with those predicted by reference equations from other countries. Besides, pedometric measurements have not been included in the test.

Objective. To establish reference values for the distance walked in the six-minute walk test (6MWT) and the equation according to sex in healthy people in the southwestern Colombia.

Methods. Observational, cross-sectional, and correlational study. There were 336 volunteers, 227 males, with no history of respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, or comorbidities limiting gait. Subjects performed the 6MWT twice on the same day in the morning, 30 minutes apart. The pedometer was placed at the starting point; the laps, meters, and number of steps in each test were recorded, selecting the one with the best distance. Linear regression was performed to obtain the reference equations by sex, according to age, weight, height, and number of steps. The R2 was used as a measure of adjustment.

Results. The distance walked was greater in males compared to females (616.7 [p25-75: 566.1-657.0] vs 588.0 [p25-75: 544.5-640.0]; p = 0.008). Two equations were obtained by sex, for females with R2 = 0.54 and males with R2 = 0.42.

Conclusion. The distance walked in 6MWT in Colombian subjects was more remarkable in males than females. Height and steps were the most significant predictors of the 6MWT length in the regression equations for females and males, with R2 of 0.54 and 0.42, respectively.

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