Six-minute walk distance reference values using a 15-metre course: A pragmatic study for resource-constrained settings
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a simple, widely used measure of functional exercise capacity in children. Standard protocols recommend a 30-meter walking course; however, this is often impractical in routine clinical settings, particularly in resource-limited environments. Normative data for Indian children, especially younger age groups and under pragmatic testing conditions, remain limited. OBJECTIVES: To establish age- and sex-specific reference values for six-minute walk distance (6MWD) in apparently healthy Indian children aged 4-14 years using a pragmatic 15-meter walking course and evaluate associations with anthropometric variables. METHODS: In this community-based cross-sectional study, 400 healthy school-going children underwent the 6MWT using a standardized 15-meter indoor course. Anthropometric and baseline physiological parameters were recorded. Percentile reference values were generated, and multivariable linear regression was performed to identify determinants of 6MWD and derive a predictive equation. RESULTS: = 0.62). No significant differences were observed by residence or school type. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides 15-meter course-specific reference values for 6MWD in healthy Indian children aged 4-14 years. The derived predictive equation may assist interpretation of 6MWD obtained using this protocol; however, external validation and direct comparison with the standard 30-meter course are required before broader application, where longer courses are not feasible.
Source: Pulmonology
Institution: All India Institute of Medical Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7223284209