Comparison of the impact of six minute walk test with three minute step test on vitals in healthy young individuals for measuring functional endurance

Abstract

Objective: To compare 6-minute walk test with 3-minute step test for measuring functional endurance, to compare the level of exertion in each test and to determine which test is better choice to measure functional endurance in young individuals. Methodology: It was an analytical study using non probability purposive sampling completed at Railway General Hospital, Rawalpindi from September 2017 to January 2018. Total 600 participants completed procedure. Included participants had age between 20 to 40 years, males/females, not participating in exercise and free from diseases affecting their ability to participate. Each participant performed the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and three-minute step test (3MST) with a rest period of 60 minutes between two tests. Self-structured pro forma was used to record demographics, anthropometrics (weight and height) vitals (pulse rate, oxygen saturation and blood pressure) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) before and after both tests. Results: Out of 600 participants who completed the procedure, 292 (48.66%) were males with mean age 28.94±6.13 years and 308 (51.33%) were females with mean age 26.75±5.33 years. Between group analysis of 6MWT and 3MST showed significant difference in post-test measure of pulse rate (PR) P=0.006, systolic blood pressure (SBP) P<0.0001, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) P<0.0001, RPE P<0.0001, while oxygen saturation (O2 sat.) (P=0.914). The level of exertion was greater after 3MST i.e. 11.54±3.21 compared to 6MWT i.e. 8.58±2.10. Pearson’s correlation between SMWT and TMST showed significant relation between PR, O2 sat, SBP, DBP and RPE (P=0.0001). Conclusion: The 6 minute walk test is recommended to measure functional endurance and is less exertional compared to 3 minute step test.