6 minute walk test

The 6 minute walk test is an endurance test relevant for weaker persons like patients and elderly people.

Instructions

1. Mark up a 30 meter distance in a hallway or a corridor. The distance can vary between 20 and 50 meter without affecting the outcome of the test.

2. It is important to give a standardized encouragement to the persons being tested. Only use phrases like: "You are doing well" and "Keep up the good work".

3. Enter distance and other data to compare with reference values. Values from 75% and higher are considered to be within normal range.

Reference value
100
meters
Percentage of normal
50
%
Gender
Age
Weight
yrs
Height
Distance

Several different reference values have been published. The values used here are from Enright & Sherill 1998, as these are based on a large number of subjects who have not previously been accustomed to the test. The values are on men and women in the age range 40-80 years. Note that other reference values that are best on customization to the test typically are around 100 meter higher.