The six-minute walk test is done to check your heart and lung function. Know how to prepare for the test and how it can help you.
If you’re not in the habit of walking every morning or evening, walking six minutes straight may seem like a long time. But if you have a lung or heart problem, you would like to know how serious it is. This is where the six-minute walk test comes in. This is a common test that measures how much you can walk in six minutes while sharing with a medical expert how you feel. You might feel short of breath or have trouble walking for six minutes if your heart and lungs aren’t strong. Besides assessing people with heart and lung problems, the six-minute walk test can also be used to measure the exercise capacity of older adults with other health conditions such as rheumatic diseases like osteoarthritis. .
What is the six minute walk test?
The Six Minute Walk Test is a simple measure taken in clinical and rehabilitation settings to assess a person’s functional exercise capacity. The test is simple, safe and does not require any sophisticated equipment. It assesses the submaximal level of functional capacity of a person walking on a flat, hard surface during a six-minute walk, according to research published in Therapeutic advances in cardiovascular diseases in 2019.
“It is normally used in people suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure and pulmonary hypertension,” says Dr Aijaz Ashai, physiotherapist and fitness expert. Arthritis, spinal cord injuries, and muscle disorders are also some of the conditions in which this test can be used.
Goal of the six-minute walk test
The purpose of the six-minute walk test is to test a person’s cardiovascular and pulmonary endurance. “It makes it possible to monitor changes in exercise capacity over time, particularly for people suffering from chronic illnesses,” explains the expert. Since this test measures cardiovascular and pulmonary function, significant problems can be detected early and intervention can be initiated.
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“It also encourages a person to engage in some sort of physical activity, which is an essential behavioral aspect of maintaining health,” explains the expert. It can also be applied in the field of rehabilitation to monitor progress during recovery, after surgery or when treating chronic illnesses.
How is the six-minute walk test performed?
Here is the procedure for this test:
- A brief explanation is given to participants about the test and what they are supposed to do.
- They walk back and forth a predetermined distance, usually 30 meters, for six minutes.
- The total distance traveled in meters is recorded and any additional observations, such as heart rate, perceived exertion and oxygen saturation, can be noted. These distances are compared to normative values based on age, sex and health status to assess an individual’s functional capacity.
Here are a few things to keep in mind before taking the six-minute walk test:
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
- Stay hydrated before the test, but avoid excessive fluid intake.
- Perform a light warm-up exercise before the test.
- Large meals, caffeine and stimulants should be avoided before the test, as they can affect your heart rate and perception of exertion.
- You must confirm your medication intake with your doctor before the test.

What is a good six-minute walk test result?
Most adults are declared healthy if they achieve a score of 400 to 700 meters in six minutes, according to a study published in the Respiratory medicine in 2006. “The test result for elderly people should be around 300 to 600 meters. People with chronic illnesses may have lower scores, but anything less than 300 meters can mean significant functional impairment,” says Dr. Ashai.
Being able to walk a greater distance suggests better cardiovascular fitness, endurance, and functional capacity. This may indicate that a person is better able to engage in daily activities without excessive fatigue, while distances significantly lower than the average for their demographic group may signal reduced functional capacity or limitations in physical health . This may result in more in-depth assessments and interventions, such as rehabilitation or lifestyle changes.
Who shouldn’t take the six-minute walk test?
People with uncontrolled hypertension and a resting heart rate above 120 beats per minute should avoid taking this test, according to a study published in StatPearls in 2023. Other people who should not take the six-minute walk test are:
- Who may have had recent surgery
- You have serious joint problems
- Presents a high risk of falling
- have a history of acute coronary syndrome, which is a group of health problems associated with sudden, reduced blood flow to the heart
- have acute respiratory failure
Summary
The six-minute walk test is done at your own pace and can be helpful in finding out how well your heart and lungs are working. It serves as an indicator of cardiovascular and pulmonary function, allowing early intervention if necessary. With frequent monitoring and evaluation, health problems can be better managed and improve quality of life. All you have to do is walk as far as you can in six minutes on a flat, straight path.
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