Determinants of Work in the Six-Minute Walk Test in School-Age Children

Abstract Introduction: The Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is widely used to assess functional capacity in children. The measure of work during 6MWT can add important information to the 6MWT assessment in this population as it relates to walking efficiency. Objective: To verify the determinants of work during the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWTwork) in school-aged children. Method: This is a cross-sectional and exploratory study that included healthy children recruited from the public and private schools of the cities of Belo Horizonte and Uberlândia, Brazil. The inclusion criteria were: children aged 7 to 12 years without diagnosis of chronic cardiorespiratory disease, cognitive, behavioral disorder or physical function impairment (information obtained through self-report of those responsible for children). Exclusion criteria were children who refused to perform the 6MWT; who did not understand the 6MWT or who did not answer the test commands. Three hundred and nineteen school-aged children were included in the study. Correlation analyses and multiple linear regression analysis were used to identify the variables associated with the 6MWTwork. Results: Age, height, nutritional status, physical activity and heart rate showed significant correlation with 6MWTwork (p <0.001) and explained 87% of its variation (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: Age, height, nutritional status and heart rate variation are determinants of 6MWTwork that is able to evaluate functional capacity of school-aged children.

摘要：六分钟步行试验（Six-Minute Walk Test，6MWT）已被广泛用于评估儿童的功能能力。六分钟步行试验中的做功量可为此类人群的6MWT评估提供重要补充信息，因其与步行效率密切相关。研究目的：明确学龄儿童六分钟步行试验做功量（6MWTwork）的影响因素。方法：本研究为横断面探索性研究，研究对象为从巴西贝洛奥里藏特市与乌贝兰迪亚市的公立及私立学校招募的健康儿童。纳入标准为：年龄7至12岁，无慢性心肺疾病、认知障碍、行为异常或躯体功能受损史，相关信息通过儿童监护人自述获取。排除标准为：拒绝参与六分钟步行试验者、无法理解试验流程或无法遵照试验指令完成测试者。本研究共纳入319名学龄儿童。采用相关性分析与多重线性回归分析，识别与6MWTwork相关的变量。结果：年龄、身高、营养状况、体力活动水平与心率均与6MWTwork存在显著相关性（p<0.001），且上述因素可解释6MWTwork 87%的变异量（p=0.0001）。结论：年龄、身高、营养状况与心率变化是学龄儿童6MWTwork的影响因素，该指标可用于评估学龄儿童的功能能力。