Does anyone know what you do to perform the 6-minute walk test. The physical exercise I have been doing is going very well and so I'd like to have a go at it to see how well I've progressed. I live in the nw and so obviously it would be ideal to do it nearby.
6-minute walk test: Does anyone know... - Lung Conditions C...
6-minute walk test
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Mezitonka
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Hi. Waiting to do my walk which then I can go onto rehabilitation course.but everything cancelled it is usually a walk u andva gym or corridor.
I've only ever done it in hospital, under the supervision of a respiratory physiotherapist. Do you have a community physio? Maybe they could arrange it. I'm sure you'll find the exercise has paid off!
I used an app called Six minute walk test. Using GPS I mapped out a course using various road signs and chalk marks. This was following a consultation with respiratory physics.
I walk back and forwards in the house for six minutes, Bohemian Rhapsody Is 6 minutes long so I listen to that. I wear my oximeter so I can check it every minute and then I check how long it takes for me to get back to my normal level afterwards. Very simple.
Do you know how far you have walked? Can you keep a count of the circuits? And if you manage the same number each time that would show stability. I hadn’t thought of doing my own. I have one after PFT in hospital setting every six months but obviously that will now be much delayed. I will try your method. I have never completed one in the hospital assessment because after a couple of minutes my heart rate is too high and the test is stopped.
Hmmm...
Kate x
I too am wondering about the walk test, the six minutes tells us how long it lasts but at what pace?
Prior to starting respiratory therapy, I met with a therapist. She asked a ton of questions, and then we went outside her office. The walking course was along the office corridors. Chairs were placed every so often in case one needed to rest. The therapist timed me, gave encouraging words and counted down the minutes. The environment was not pleasant with small dark hallways and constant turns as I walked in a square pattern, but I just did the best I could and received a decent time. That was 3 years ago. I haven’t been asked to do another one. Good luck. I’ll bet you’ll do great!
In theory you would walk in a straight line at your own pace for 6mins. In reality in a hospital or place of rehabilitation a course is laid out consisting of 2 cones 10 mtrs apart and you walk between them at your own pace for as long as you can up to the full 6 mins. Your o2 sats will be measured to ensure they remain within safe levels during the entire duration of the exercise if they do not you will be advised to stop.
On completion you will be asked to score your Borg rate (level of breathlessness)on a level of 1 to 5,1 being completely normal and 5 being totally wiped out.
The distance you have walked will be recorded and used to measure any achievements you have made during pulmonary rehabilitation at the end of the course.
If during the test your o2 sats are noted to drop out of safe levels you may later be invited for a consultation with the oxygen nurse to check your blood o2 levels with a view to see if you might be a candidate for supplementary o2 use during exertion (ambulatory oxygen).
Hope this helps you to understand the process a little more.
Skis and Scruffs.😊
Sounds like people have different experiences of their test.
My experience is, (carried out at the local hospital by NHS physiotherapist and respiratory nurse) it measures your ability prior to PR and after PR. Information is blood oxygen levels are tested before and after and during, using the Borg Scale for breathlessness before and after.
The actual walking test, starts slow, you walk back and forth between two points, a monitor tells you to start by beeping 3 times, and beeps once each end indicating you should have reached the distance in the time you were meant to. The nurse / physio will explain this.
After a few slower repetitions, the monitor beeps 3 times indicating the pace is speeding up. The idea is you reach each end by the time you hear the single beep. So its a gradual increase in speed during the 6 minute walk test.
more information here: lunginstitute.com/blog/6-mi...
Of course your walk test may be different.
Good luck - choice of answers for you 
Also check top right - related posts, others discussing the 6 minute walk test.
Perhaps I had the combo shuttle walk that lasted 6 minutes I think my distance was approx 3 metres end to end. Wow you did good Jo to achieve 90% predicted well done and after PH and heart disease. Its been over 2 years since I did my last test, and personally I go on the full lung function monitoring as measurement for my age % predicted that and spirometry. I've always tried to keep the exercise going knowing its so important and improves lung function, its just we go down real quickly if we get a lung infection, flu or pneumonia and recovery is a slow process to regain back same or near to level of fitness. Sounds interesting your experience, would it make a separate post for other to benefit from as well? I would think the formula and link would be of interest to many.
A short back-and-forth "course" (about 30ft) is marked out, often between chairs, and you are required to walk up and down it in a prescribed time. The time allowed for each series of legs (about 3 per series) gradually gets shorter and as soon as you fail to complete a leg within the prescribed time limit, the test ends. If you manage to keep up with the clock for 6 minutes, the test ends anyway - hence it's called a six-minute-walk test. (For the record, as a stage 4 COPD (emphysema) patient, I have never completed the full six minutes.)
Hello Mezitonka , 🍀
Everyone has given you some really good views and experiences. I just want to say very well done with your exercises. It's so important to keep moving. Take care. xx 👋
If you just want to do an informal test you could check your number of steps in 6 minutes on your phone or a Fitbit if you have or could borrow one
X
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