The Walk Test: Finished my pulmonary... - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

56,327 members66,958 posts

The Walk Test

Symes profile image
34 Replies

Finished my pulmonary rehab assessment this afternoon. I had to do a 'walk test' - walk the length of a room, round two cones 9 metres apart continually for 6 minutes. Twice.

It's something you'd think was rather easy but Gods it was brutal.

Been absolutely shattered all day since!

Start the pulmonary rehab next Tuesday, the 25th.

Written by
Symes profile image
Symes
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
34 Replies
Pam1952 profile image
Pam1952

Good luck. I'm sure that you'll enjoy it. 😊😊😊

stone-UK profile image
stone-UK

Hi

No wonder your shattered, the six minute walk test should be 30 metres.

Any less equals more turns requiring more energy. Then to do it twice.

What's expected after the course a jog round the cones?😩😩

lungs profile image
lungs in reply tostone-UK

Hello Mr Stone. I always find you very informativee and would like to be a follower of yours. Problem is I don't know how to go about it. I am a pure dunce when it comes to techy stuff. What Do you know of stem cell treatment/transplant? In plain English of course. I am more or less your age and with severe emphysema. Six months ago was fev of 32 but I expect it will be lower next time.I imagine that you must have checked it out-what is available in Europe, trials, hospitals etc. I can give you my email if you don't want to put it here. Thanks x

Time_2_drink profile image
Time_2_drink

Good luck it is shattering

Symes profile image
Symes in reply toTime_2_drink

Thanks

skischool profile image
skischool

Symes,What was the result of your 6 min walk test,Did you pass not requiring ambulatory o2 or possibly long term o2 or are you fit to do without both.Hopefully the result was pass o2 not required!can,t do emojos so have a smile on me...skis

Symes profile image
Symes in reply toskischool

I passed, needing no o2, but a few stops on the way round to catch my breath and even sit down at one end a couple times!

sheila9999 profile image
sheila9999 in reply toSymes

I too gave just had assesment get my tanks on friday.

Symes profile image
Symes in reply toskischool

Cheers Skis. I passed, not needing o2, but I did need stops throughout the test

skischool profile image
skischool in reply toSymes

well done symes long may you be o2 free.xxx

I had girl come round with me WAS enbarasing really.

Said to girls if am going to waddle round YOUR going to have too aswell.

Did they have faster bleeps going :)

Anyway after it my hips was bushed think was G Force of cornering lol

Hope all went well

Symes profile image
Symes in reply to

Yeah, I wasn't expecting it to be as hard as it was, but I came away unscathed lol

AngieB72 profile image
AngieB72

I have had two types of walk test - the normal one as I call it at the hospital where you go as far as you can backwards and forwards for 6 mins then the pulmonary rehab one - boot class style ~ backwards and forwards between two cones to an ever increasing beep test - hell!!!!!! I expected Ant Middleton from the SAS TV programme to appear!!!!

sassy59 profile image
sassy59

Wishing you well for next Tuesday Symes. Take care xxxx

Symes profile image
Symes in reply tosassy59

Thanks Sassy xx

I've never had a walk test. When do they ask you to do these? :)

Symes profile image
Symes in reply to

It's part of the assessment you're needed to undertake before they accept you into PR

in reply toSymes

Ah right thanks. I've been on the waiting list for 3 months! I'll be changing doctors surgery after I move house this weekend, so will chase it up yet again! Hope the PR is helping, Brian :)

Symes profile image
Symes in reply to

Don't know, it starts next week - I'll let you know! Thanks Brian 😊

in reply toSymes

Oops, so it does 😂

Badbessie profile image
Badbessie in reply to

Some Doctors believe that the six minute walk test is a better way of assessing functional capabilities than just pulmonary function tests alone. Which a lot of research would indicate is true.

Time_2_drink profile image
Time_2_drink in reply to

I had mine when I first came out of hospital with oxygen to see if it would be permanent it was .Had another before PR started was told to stop after 3 minutes levels to low next Monday have another it's the end of PR 😷

katieoxo60 profile image
katieoxo60

Well Done Symes, good luck with PR next Tuesday.

Symes profile image
Symes in reply tokatieoxo60

Thanks Katie

katieoxo60 profile image
katieoxo60 in reply toSymes

Your welcome

lKeith profile image
lKeith

Symes

Hi Done the walk test, you'll have to do it again at the end to see if you have improved, which you will if you do all the exercises they set you. It really is a worthwhile course and you get to meet people, some some worse. You should get some enjoyment from it.

IKeith

Dmactds profile image
Dmactds

When I'm given the walk test, it's in a narrow hall with markers I'm told to walk to then turn around and walk to the other marker and repeat; for six minutes. It's slightly claustrophobic

and one day there was a "very" overweight woman doing the walk in the same space so it was quite a 'dance' when we passed each other; all somewhat stressful and I'm sure adding to my overall performance failure.

There must be another way.

Annabele profile image
Annabele

Please let me know if you get any positive feed back re stem cell I'm desperate as I feel it's my only future hope

Like you I'm realy ditsy with e mailing etc

In the mean time hope all is good and keep exploring ! I do and will submit any info if good

Regards annabel

Joneswm profile image
Joneswm

Hi there. I've recently completed my 6 week session of PR and had my post assessment last Friday. I must say I was very apprehensive starting out, but it's the benefits are so good. Feel so much better in myself, more energy and not so tired. I am being referred on to the local leisure centre to be enrolled on their fitness programme. Good luck and you will find it so beneficial.

Wendy.

Inamoment profile image
Inamoment

I have my assment at the end of the month. You are dead right about the walk test being brutal, I really don't like it, I think it says so in my notes as everyone seems to know. What's this beep thing? Sounds even worse.

sheila9999 profile image
sheila9999

thanks

girliegirl2012 profile image
girliegirl2012

Hi Symes, There is no way would I have done that twice. I'm not sure I would/could have completed that entirely the first time around! You know your limit. Next time, you stop them. If that is all you can do without feeling worse, tell them you just aren't able to finish it. Believe me, you won't be the only one that don't/can't finish and don't worry about it. They document the information for therapy and the pulmonologist; because when you are done, there is no one at your house to help you from being in pain from over doing it. I had to learn to say no or that's enough to a lot of things. I' m the one that has to tend to me and I don't want to feel worse. They can get enough information in the first test.

Symes profile image
Symes in reply togirliegirl2012

I should have done, you're right. I just felt like I wasn't able to, like there was pressure on me from the assessor to complete it both times, you know?

"There's a chair at the end by the cone. Have a rest if you need one and then carry on..."

I was just made to feel like I couldn't say no.

Thank you girliegirl.

girliegirl2012 profile image
girliegirl2012

You absolutely have the right to say no. If you aren't able to do it, you just aren't able to do it. So if they have to increase your oxygen by a smidge....then so be it. It sure beats being out of breath, feeling bad and just washed out. The Doctor doesn't expect everyone to finish. In fact, probably many don't. Get well soon and the next time, don't push yourself. It's not worth it....and don't feel bad about it. Beats feeling bad like you do now on the next day! :P

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Back to drawing board (of more tests)

Hello everyone again - I just had my pulmonary rehab assessment and was really looking forward to...
southcats profile image

PR

Well I went to Pulmonary Rehab yesterday, filled out a questionnaire, 6 minute walk test and met...
Kad21 profile image

What's the difference between Breathe Easy and Fit to Breathe?. I kind of thought they were one and the same but it seems not.

Its kind of funny really, because for 2 1/2 years now I've been going to Fit to Breathe exercise...
dall05 profile image

The Breather

A friend of mine over the pond in the good ol' U.S of A, suffers with aspergilliosis,...
Symes profile image

The LVR Journey Continues

hi all friendly people, went for my follow up Pulmonary appointment with consultant, LFT 40%...
Trevor6 profile image

Moderation team

See all
AsthmaandLung profile image
AsthmaandLungAdministrator
moderator_AandLUK profile image
moderator_AandLUKAdministrator
Claire_ALUK profile image
Claire_ALUKAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.