Home
Back
6 Minute Walk Test Child Formula:
| From: | To: |
The 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is a simple, practical test that measures the distance a child can walk quickly on a flat, hard surface in 6 minutes. It evaluates functional exercise capacity and is commonly used to assess cardiopulmonary function in children.
The calculator uses the simplified formula for children:
Where:
Explanation: This formula approximates the expected 6-minute walk distance for healthy children based on age, with performance typically increasing as children grow older.
Details: The 6MWT provides valuable information about a child's functional capacity, response to treatment, and disease progression. It's particularly useful for monitoring children with chronic respiratory or cardiac conditions.
Tips: Enter the child's age in years (typically between 4-18 years). The calculator will provide an estimated normal distance for a healthy child of that age.
Q1: At what age can children perform the 6MWT?
A: Most children can reliably perform the 6MWT from age 4-5 years onward, though simplified versions exist for younger children.
Q2: How does this compare to adult 6MWT norms?
A: Children's norms are generally lower than adults and increase with age, while adult norms peak in young adulthood and then decline.
Q3: What factors can affect 6MWT results in children?
A: Height, weight, motivation, practice effect, and underlying medical conditions can all influence performance.
Q4: When should a child be referred for further testing?
A: If a child consistently performs significantly below age-expected norms (typically <80% of predicted), further evaluation may be warranted.
Q5: Are there standardized protocols for pediatric 6MWT?
A: Yes, the American Thoracic Society has published guidelines for administering the 6MWT in children to ensure consistency.