Normative values and reference equation for the six-minute step test to evaluate functional exercise capacity: a multicenter study

Abstract

Objective: To establish normative values and a reference equation for the number of steps climbed during the six-minute step test (6MST) in healthy adults, and to assess the reliability of the test and of the equation. Methods: This was a multicenter cross-sectional study involving 468 healthy volunteers (age range: 18-79 years) recruited from the general community in six research laboratories across different regions of Brazil, which is a country with continental dimensions. The 6MST was performed twice (30-min interval), and clinical, demographic, and functional variables were evaluated. An independent sample of 24 volunteers was evaluated to test the reference equation a posteriori. Results: The number of steps had excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.96 [95%CI: 0.95-0.97]), and the mean number of steps was 175 ± 45, the number being 14% greater in males than in females. The best performance on the test was correlated with age (r = -0.60), sex (r = 0.28), weight (r = 0.13), height (r = 0.41), BMI (r = -0.22), waist circumference (r = -0.22), thigh circumference (r = 0.15), FVC (r = 0.54), and physical activity level (r = 0.17; p < 0.05 for all). In the regression analysis, age, sex, height, and weight explained 42% of the variability of the 6MST. Normative values were established for the 6MST according to age and sex. There was no difference between the 6MST values from the independent sample and its predicted values (157 ± 29 steps vs. 161 ± 25 steps; p = 0.47; 97% of predicted values). Conclusions: The normative values and the reference equation for the 6MST in this study seem adequate to accurately predict the physical functional performance in adults in Brazil.

The six-minute step test can predict COPD exacerbations: a 36-month follow-up study

“…According to Table 2 , The group of patients ≤ 59 steps presented significantly lower functional capacity ( p = 0.04) when compared to the group of patients > 59 steps. When considering the predictive equations predicted by Arcuri et al 13 and Albuquerque et al 14 , none of the groups managed to reach the predicted values, with a significant reduction, especially in the group with the worst performance (≤ 59 steps). Regarding hemodynamic responses, individuals in the lower 6MST performance group had considerably higher heart rate and systolic blood pressure at rest as well as a lower frequency of oxygen desaturation (SpO 2 ) at rest and peak of the test.…”

“…Table 2 presents the results of the patients' performance in the 6MST, demonstrating a lower performance than the cutoff point proposed in the literature (< 78 steps) 11 , as well as a lower performance than the predicted values for the healthy adults 13 , 14 and consequent reduction in functional capacity.…”

“…A performance ≤ 78 steps was used as an indication of decreased functional capacity 11 . To predict functional performance for the Brazilian population, the equations proposed by Arcuri et al 13 and Albuquerque et al 14 were considered.…”

Capacidade Discriminativa Da Escala Modificada Do Medical Research Council Para Dispneia: Resultados Preliminares

“…O TD6min é um teste que é cadenciado pelo ritmo do paciente que consiste em subir e descer um único degrau em seis. Os valores para TD6min foram expressos em valores absolutos e em porcentagem do previsto (ALBUQUERQUE, et al 2022). Em seguida foi aplicada a escala mMRC, onde American Thoracic Society em um estudo a categoriza de 0-4 graus, em que 0 classifica "falta de ar em exercícios físicos" e 4 "dispneia aos mínimos esforços".…”

“…A dispneia é uma experiencia relatada como desconforto respiratório, como uma falta de ar. Esse desconforto pode afetar a capacidade funcional de exercício (CFE) e a qualidade de vida relacionada a saúde (QVRS) de pacientes e familiares, trazendo grandes complicações para a funcionalidade dos portadores dessas doenças respiratórias (AMBROSINO; FRACCHIA, 2019). Devido a essas características, indivíduos com DRs se beneficiam bastante de reabilitação pulmonar (RP).…”