1. What is the 6 Minute Walking Test?

Definition: The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) measures the distance a person can walk quickly on a flat, hard surface in 6 minutes.

Purpose: It evaluates functional exercise capacity and is commonly used in pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( GS \) — Gait speed (meters/second)
• \( D \) — Total distance walked (meters)
• 360 — Total test duration in seconds (6 minutes × 60 seconds)

Explanation: The distance walked is divided by the total time (360 seconds) to calculate average gait speed.

3. Importance of Gait Speed Measurement

Details: Gait speed is a strong predictor of overall health, mobility, and survival in older adults and patients with chronic conditions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total distance walked in meters during the 6-minute test. The value must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a normal 6-minute walk distance?
A: Healthy adults typically walk 400-700 meters. Less than 300m indicates significant impairment.

Q2: What affects 6-minute walk distance?
A: Age, gender, height, weight, and medical conditions all influence results.

Q3: How should the test be administered?
A: In a straight 30m corridor with standardized encouragement at each minute.

Q4: What does gait speed indicate?
A: Speeds below 1.0 m/s may predict mobility disability; below 0.6 m/s suggests high risk for adverse outcomes.

Q5: Can this test be used for all patients?
A: Not for those with unstable conditions or who cannot walk safely. Always consult a healthcare provider.