Original ArticleOriginal Article Different Patterns for the 6-minute Walk Test as a Test to Measure Exercise Ability in Elderly with and without Clinically Evident Cardiopathy

Evaluate the correlation between peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), from cardiopulmonary test with the distance covered in the six-minute walk test (6MWT) in healthy elderly and with myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS Thirty individuals were studied, with age range 65 – 87 years (76, 03 ± 4,75), divided into 2 groups: Group I – 14 with clinically evident coronary heart disease (CHD) and Group II – 16 without clinically evident CHD. They were submitted to cardiopulmonary test (CPT) and 2 types of 6MWT, standard test 6MWTs. Variables measure at rest and exertion were heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR), blood pressure (BP), distance covered (DC), and Borg’s rate subjective perceived exertion (RPE). RESULTS The study showed signifi cant, strong correlation between distances covered for both 6MWT, and (VO2peak) obtained from cardiopulmonary test (CPT) for all elderly included in the study. When comparing the 6MWT with physiotherapist support (6MWTphy) and without support (6MWTw), statistically signifi cant difference was observed, with higher average values of the DC, of the RH and RR and Borg’s RPE in the 6MWTphy, both of the groups. Addtionally, the RH reached at fi nal the exertion in 6MWTphy was similar to that obtained in CPT (p<0,05) suggesting that the 6MWT stimulates higher cardiovascular performance. CONCLUSION 6MWTw, adopted a worldwide, by being submaximal imposes lower cardiovascular overburden as compared to 6MWTphy and is probably safer for elderly who are cardiopaths