INTRODUCTION:
Due to the importance of the six minutes walking test (6MWT), some equations have been proposed to predict the expected results.
OBJECTIVE:
To compare the values found in different reference equations to predict the distance covered on the 6MWT in the elderly that do physical exercises.
METHODS:
The study included 696 elderly of both sexes, 600 women and 96 men, who do physical exercises of the Study Group of the Elderly (GETI), Active Living Program and the Health and Recreation Program. To assess aerobic resistance, the 6MWT was used, as proposed by Rikli and Jones. To calculate the covered distance, the equations of Enright & Sherrill, Troosters e Enright were used. We used the descriptive and inferential statistics, with significance level of 5%.
RESULTS:
The mean covered distance predicted by the equations was 305.29 (±46.98), 529.05 (±50.31) and 415.37 (±38.77) meters, respectively. In the 6MWT, the mean was 513.05 (±87.26) meters. A significant correlation (p<0.001) between the 6MWT and the equation of Enright & Sherrill and Troosters was observed. When comparing the values, we can notice that the equations of Eringht & Sherrill and Enright underestimate aerobic endurance of elderly individuals that do exercises and the Troosters equation overestimates these individuals.
CONCLUSION:
The reference equations that predict the covered distance in 6MWT analyzed in the current study do not reflect the aerobic resistance of elderly people who do physical exercises. New equations and/or variables must be included to calculate fairly accurately the covered distance by physically active elderly. Thus, the equations analyzed in the current study should be used with care by researchers and professionals that deal with this populations in Brazil.
motor activity; exercise; aerobic; physical endurance; aging
