Normative Values of Six-Minute Walk Distance for Healthy Saudi Girls

Journal Article

Alnegimshi, Arwa . 2014

• Publication Work Type: Master
• Publication Online URL: Normative Values of Six-Minute Walk Distance for Healthy Saudi Girls
• Magazine \ Newspaper: World Applied Sciences Journal
• Issue Number: 8
• Volume Number: 32
• Pages: 1721 to 1730

Publication Abstract

Abstract: The six-minute-walk test is a reliable and valid functional test for assessing exercise tolerance and
endurance. The lack of the six-minute walk distance (6MWD) reference values from normal, healthy children
hinders the clinical usefulness of this test for children. The purpose of this study is to provide reference
values of the 6MWD for Saudi healthy girls. One hundred and thirty-six Saudi healthy students girls, aged
from 6 to 11 years, participated in the study. Students were recruited from different local primary schools that
are located in five sections of Riyadh city (central, north, south, west and east). Height, weight, body mass
index (BMI) percentile and the 6MWD were measured for each student. The overall mean of the 6MWD was
595.77 ± 61.35 meters with a maximum value of 755 meters and a minimum value of 420 meters. The 6MWD was
increased with age increment reaching to maximum mean value of 647.95±53.56 meters at 10 years. The results
revealed a positive correlation between the 6MWD and age (r=0.580) as well as between the 6MWD and height
(r=0.609). This study provided the first reference values for 6MWD for Saudi healthy girls in Riyadh aged
from 6-11 years.