Breaking barriers: novel reference equations for the six-minute walk distance and work in obese Chinese adults.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a key tool for assessing fitness in obese individuals, but existing reference equations for the six-minute walk distance (6MWD) are limited and overlook the six-minute walk work (6MWW), in turn limiting the clinical applicability of the test. This study aims to establish new 6MWD and 6MWW equations to improve our understanding of functional capacity in obese Chinese adults.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Wenzhou People's Hospital from July 2021 to June 2023. Obese Chinese adults (BMI > 30 kg/m²), aged 18-69 years, completed the 6MWT following the ATS/ERS guidelines. Stepwise multiple regression was used to create sex-specific reference equations for the 6MWD and 6MWW.

Results

A total of 309 obese Chinese

SUBMITTER: Zou H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11954308 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature