Year: 2025 | Month: July-September | Volume: 10 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 97-112
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20250312
To Study the Correlation of Body Mass Index with Six Minute Walk Test and Six Minute Walk Work in Young Individuals
Saloni M Rana1, Vishva N Vyas2, Bosky M Mehta3
1,2,3Apollo Institute of Physiotherapy, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India.
Corresponding Author: Saloni M Rana
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is a widely utilized measure of functional exercise capacity, assessing the distance an individual can walk in six minutes. While Body Mass Index (BMI) is a standard metric for evaluating weight relative to height, its relationship with 6MWT performance in young, healthy adults remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate the correlation of BMI with 6MWT and 6MWW in individuals aged 18 to 35 years.
METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 45 young, healthy participants (23 males, 22 females) aged 18–35 years. Each participant underwent the 6MWT following the American Thoracic Society guidelines. The distance covered was recorded, and 6MWW was calculated by multiplying the distance by the participant's body weight. Anthropometric data, including height, weight, and BMI, were collected prior to the test. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson's correlation coefficient to assess the relationship between BMI and 6MWT distance, as well as BMI and 6MWW.
RESULT: The mean age of participants was 22.7± 2.31years, with a mean BMI of 23.30 ± 6.11 kg/m². The spearman’s correlation analysis revealed a weak, non-significant correlation between BMI and 6MWT distance (r = 0.28, p = 0.30) and between BMI and 6MWW (r = 0.14, p = 0.34).
CONCLUSION: This study found no significant correlation between BMI and 6MWT performance or 6MWW in young, healthy adults aged 18 to 35 years. These findings suggest that BMI may not be a reliable predictor of functional exercise capacity in this demographic. Further research is warranted to explore other factors influencing 6MWT outcomes and to develop more accurate predictive models for assessing functional capacity in young adults.
Keywords: Body mass index, Six-minute Walk test, Six-minute Walk work