INTRODUCTION:
Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and Six Minute Step Test (6MST) are tests to evaluate functional capacity. However, reproducibility of these tests is still not well known in young adults.
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate intra and inter-rater relative and absolute reproducibility of 6MWT and 6MST in young adults.
METHODS:
Thirty-three apparently health young adults were evaluated through spirometry, 6MWT and 6MST. Three (T1, T2 and T3) of each 6MWT and 6MST were carried out on each individual, the latter (T3) by a different evaluator. Intra-rater analysis was performed comparing the performance of T1 and T2, while the inter-rater analysis was executed using the comparisons of T3 with T1, T2 and the best result of the first two. Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated as a measure of relative reproducibility; the standard error of measurement, minimal detectable change, Bland-Altman plots and repeated measures ANOVA were used to verify absolute reproducibility.
RESULTS:
Excellent values of relative reproducibility (ICC>0.75) were observed in both 6MWT and 6MST, yet high error values were found in absolute reproducibility analysis.
CONCLUSION:
6MWT and 6MST present excellent intra and inter-rater relative reproducibility, but high error values.
exercise test; exercise; young adult
