Functional capacity six minute walk test App.

[Badbessie]

Hi, last night I downloaded a functional capacity six minute walk test App from play store. It's free. Tested it this morning over a pre measured course and found it to be very accurate when it comes distance covered. Very easy to use you only have to add three values, gender height and weight. Press a button and your ready to go. I managed 680m on the outward leg and 662 on the return leg after a short break. It tells you what you should average for your age etc. I like it because it does not limit me to pre measured courses and very simple to set up and use. Anybody else who is preparing themselves for rehabilitation or continuing after rehabilitation would find it useful.

[hufferpuffer]

Thanks Badbessie I think that's a great idea. It can be really encouraging when you can see how your efforts are paying off! 😀 huff x

[Inamoment]

That is a very clever idea except I absolutely hate the walk test, exhausting. You can walk miles! I can only do 300m, should be nearer 600 if my lungs worked. 600m would be ace, I could walk through home base and have some steam left to check out the plants.

[Badbessie in reply to Inamoment]

I was struggling after my pneumonia and over the last 8 week have been slowly building up the distance. I have a fast day where I do the speed test and the next day have a slow walk but do a greater distance. I find it works for me.

[Hidden]

what a great idea..i will deffenately trying that... thanks very much for your post.

[Badbessie in reply to Hidden]

No problems there are a number of apps on there but the one with the green heart with functional capacity test written inside it is the best. Good luck.

[Bkin]

thanks, what devices can it be used on?

there's an android one but its just called 6 min walk test. Not Functional capacity etc.

[Badbessie in reply to Bkin]

I use it on my phone, it's called 6 minute walk test, but the one you are looking for is a green heart with functional capacity etc written inside the heart.

[Bkin in reply to Badbessie]

Many thanks

[Billiejean_2]

That sounds good BB in terms of distance covered. If I do a 6 minute walk test, it's to check my 02 levels on exercise. I set the timer on my phone for six minutes, walk at the same pace then check my 02 levels immediately the six minutes are up. It's not as scientific a method as they use at the hospital but it gives me a fair idea of how my sats are holding up during exercise.

[Badbessie in reply to Billiejean_2]

I have done futher but have too cheat by running (well more of a slow jog!) and find as I slowly build up I am suprising myself.

[Donnabelle]

What a great tool. Our version of a fit bit. 🙂

[James48]

Thanks Badbessie, this is the link

play.google.com/store/apps/...

[Badbessie]

Feeling very pleased...lol...Just broke the 700m barrier! 706.02m in six minutes.

[jackdup]

Wow, 700M seems excellent. What stage of COPD are you, and how far were you getting when you first started?

[Badbessie]

I the consult thinks I am moderate, however as of now I still have not had a spirometry due to infections. I was diagnosed by CT after bilateral pneumonia over Christmas. I lost 10% of my body weight and my BMI went down to 16.5. So I am on a weight gain diet. I have managed to gain 10lb since then but it's been difficult with exercising on top. When I first did it I managed 410m. And have built it up from there. I have a fast day which is a six minute walk test and I do repartitions for the upper body. Next day is a slow day where I have built up to slow walking 3 miles. I now include hills on that walk. I am nearly sixty so I had a check over ECG etc by the GP and made numerous telephone calls to the respiratory physiotherapist for advice on breathing etc. I never go past 5 on the modified Borg Scale to keep myself safe. To do 700m I have to run 150m! I do not think it's cheating..lol....by June I want to be walking 5 miles and doing 800 m on the 6 minute test. I keep suprising myself but the hard part is controlling my breathing. On a couple of occasions I have stopped because it's gone past a point where I am happy.