Different patterns for the 6-minute walk test as a test to measure exercise ability in elderly with and without clinically evident cardiopathy

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the correlation between peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), from cardiopulmonary test with the distance covered in the six-minute walk test (6MWT) in healthy elderly and with myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: Thirty individuals were studied, with age range 65-87 years (76.03 +/- 4.75), divided into 2 groups: Group I--14 with clinically evident coronary heart disease (CHD) and Group II--16 without clinically evident CHD. They were submitted to cardiopulmonary test (CPT) and 2 types of 6MWT, standard test 6MWTs. Variables measure at rest and exertion were heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR), blood pressure (BP), distance covered (DC), and Borgs rate subjective perceived exertion (RPE). RESULTS: The study showed significant, strong correlation between distances covered for both 6MWT, and (VO2peak) obtained from cardiopulmonary test (CPT) for all elderly included in the study. When comparing the 6MWT with physiotherapist support (6MWTphy) and without support (6MWTw), statistically significant difference was observed, with higher average values of the DC, of the RH and RR and Borgs RPE in the 6MWTphy, both of the groups. Additionally, the RH reached at final the exertion in 6MWTphy was similar to that obtained in CPT (p<0.05) suggesting that the 6MWT stimulates higher cardiovascular performance. CONCLUSION: 6MWTw, adopted a worldwide, by being submaximal imposes lower cardiovascular overburden as compared to 6MWTphy and is probably safer for elderly who are cardiopaths.