The 6-Minute Walk Test as a Predictor of Summit Success on Denali

Shea, Katherine M.; Ladd, Eric R.; Lipman, Grant S.; Bagley, Patrick; Pirrotta, Elizabeth; Vongsachang, Hurnan; Wang, N. Ewen; Auerbach, Paul S.

doi:10.1016/j.wem.2015.10.004

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…SpO 2 during a 6MWT of <75% at base camp of Mount Aconcagua (4365 m) predicted summit failure with a high sensitivity of 97.2%. This association was not confirmed in other studies performed at Mount Kilimanjaro21 and Mount Denali 13…”

Section: Introductioncontrasting

confidence: 70%

“…In general, V̇O 2max levels above 55.0 mL/min/kg at sea level are preferred for high-altitude mountaineers and even higher levels are found among elite climbers and Sherpas 49. Prior studies proposed a 6MWT to predict summit success, but findings were controversial and no predictive potential was found in most studies 13 14. 6MWT is probably not sensitive enough in this fit population and more accurate methods are of possible advantage.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The use of cardiopulmonary parameters to predict summit success or the risk of occurrence of acute mountain sickness (AMS) is discussed controversially 11–17. Burtscher et al 18 observed a more pronounced oxygen desaturation within 3 hours after acute exposure to 3480 m in AMS-susceptible patients and suggested a desaturation <87% to be predictive for occurrence of AMS with a diagnostic accuracy of 90%.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Do cardiopulmonary exercise tests predict summit success and acute mountain sickness? A prospective observational field study at extreme altitude

et al. 2023

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ObjectiveDuring a high-altitude expedition, the association of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) parameters with the risk of developing acute mountain sickness (AMS) and the chance of reaching the summit were investigated.MethodsThirty-nine subjects underwent maximal CPET at lowlands and during ascent to Mount Himlung Himal (7126 m) at 4844 m, before and after 12 days of acclimatisation, and at 6022 m. Daily records of Lake-Louise-Score (LLS) determined AMS. Participants were categorised as AMS+ if moderate to severe AMS occurred.ResultsMaximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) decreased by 40.5%±13.7% at 6022 m and improved after acclimatisation (all p<0.001). Ventilation at maximal exercise (VEmax) was reduced at 6022 m, but higher VEmaxwas related to summit success (p=0.031). In the 23 AMS+ subjects (mean LLS 7.4±2.4), a pronounced exercise-induced oxygen desaturation (ΔSpO2exercise) was found after arrival at 4844 m (p=0.005). ΔSpO2exercise>-14.0% identified 74% of participants correctly with a sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 81% for predicting moderate to severe AMS. All 15 summiteers showed higher V̇O2max(p<0.001), and a higher risk of AMS in non-summiteers was suggested but did not reach statistical significance (OR: 3.64 (95% CI: 0.78 to 17.58), p=0.057). V̇O2max≥49.0 mL/min/kg at lowlands and ≥35.0 mL/min/kg at 4844 m predicted summit success with a sensitivity of 46.7% and 53.3%, and specificity of 83.3% and 91.3%, respectively.ConclusionSummiteers were able to sustain higher VEmaxthroughout the expedition. Baseline V̇O2maxbelow 49.0 mL/min/kg was associated with a high chance of 83.3% for summit failure, when climbing without supplemental oxygen. A pronounced drop of SpO2exerciseat 4844 m may identify climbers at higher risk of AMS.

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Section: Introductioncontrasting

confidence: 70%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%