Reference values for the 6-minutes walking test in healthy Chilean children Valores de referencia del test de marcha de seis minutos en niños sanos

Abstract

Background: The 6-minutes walking test (6WT) is the ideal submaximal test for the evaluation and follow-up of patients with chronic respiratory diseases. There are no reference values (RV) for Chilean children using the American Thoracic Society guidelines. Aim: To generate 6WT reference values for Chilean children aged 6 to 14 years. Material and Methods: 6MW was evaluated in 192 healthy children (100 women) aged between 6 and 14 years. The test was carried out in a 30 m long indoor flat surface. Children also answered a survey about health problems and their weight and height were recorded. Results: The distance walked by women and men was 596.5 ± 57 and 625 ± 59.7 m respectively (p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between the distance walked and height (r = 0.58), age (r = 0.56), weight (r = 0.54) and reserve heart rate (r = 0.21). Conclusions: These results can be used as reference values for the 6WT in Chilean children aged 6 to 14 years. They are similar to those repo