Article

OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of the reference values and methodology used to
obtain them for time- and distance-limited walk tests. METHODS: We performed a
systematic review and searched PubMed, MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus,
PEDro, and The Cochrane Library from 1946 to May 2013. Full-text peer-reviewed
articles written in English, French or Spanish were considered eligible. Two
authors independently screened titles and abstracts. One author determined
eligibility of full-text articles, appraised methodological quality, and
extracted data. A second author independently verified the accuracy of extracted
data. RESULTS: Of the 41 eligible studies reviewed, 25 failed to describe the
method used to select participants and 10 had an inadequate sample size.
Twenty-five studies provided reference values for one time-limited walk test
(6-min walk test (6 MWT)) and 18 studies provided reference values for 15
distance-limited walk tests. Across studies, walk test distances ranged from 3m
to 40m. Descriptive values and reference equations for the 6 MWT were reported in
15 and 20 studies, respectively. Across 43 regression equations (median
R(2)=0.46), age (98%) and sex (91%) were most frequently included. The equation
yielding the maximum R(2) value (0.78) included age, height, weight and
percentage of predicted maximum heart rate. Among six unique regression equations
for distance-limited walk tests (median R(2)=0.17), sex (83%), age (67%) and
weight (67%) were most frequently included. The equation yielding the maximum
R(2) value (0.25) included age and sex. CONCLUSIONS: Reference values reported
for these tests provide a basis for classifying walking capacity as within normal
limits, determining the magnitude of deficit, educating clients, setting
rehabilitation goals, and planning studies.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS