An equation to predict maximum oxygen consumption from the six-minute walk test in healthy young adults

Abstract

Background: The six-minute walk test (SMWT) is an easy-to-use test that measures walking distance. Aim: To elaborate an equation to estimate the maximum oxygen consumption (VO 2 max) using the results of the SMWT. Material and Methods: Forty men and 40 women aged 22.5 ± 2 years, underwent a SMWT to measure the total walked distance and the recovery heart rate (RhR) Also, VO 2 max was estimated from the maximal workload achieved in a cyclo- ergometer using the Storer test. A multivariate regression analysis resulted in a prediction equation that was validated with distributional assumptions of normality, independence and homoscedasticity. The limits of concordance of the predictive model were checked with the Bland-Altman diagram. Results: Body mass index (BMI), sex, RhR and total walked distance explained VO 2 max variance by 3.4, 73.1, 17.9 and 32.8%, respectively. The prediction equation achieved was VO 2 max (ml.min-1) = -3672.585 + (966.472 × Sex [1: female, 2: male]) + (-18.492 × RhR [beats.minute-1]) + (9.191 × Distance [m]) + (87.707 × BMI). The R 2 of the equation was 0.91 (p < 0.01). Conclusions: This equation predicts VO 2 max in Chilean university students according to sex, BMI, cardiovascular response and performance in the SMWT.