The six-minute walk test in community-dwelling older adult women: influence of physical activity levels and age-related factors.

Abstract

Background and objectives This study aimed to analyze cardiorespiratory variations in the six-minute walk test (6MWT) in older adult women based on their level of physical activity and age-related variables such as pain, sarcopenia, frailty, or motivation to exercise. Methods A total of 163 older adult women without cardiac or respiratory pathology and with musculoskeletal pain were included. They were classified according to their physical activity: high (HPA), moderate (MPA) and low (LPA). They performed the 6MWT test and their heart rate (HR), dyspnoea, and oxygen saturation (SaO₂) were monitored. Their musculoskeletal pain, sarcopenia, frailty, and motivation to exercise were also assessed. A multivariate analysis of (co)variance with repeated measures (RM-MANCOVA) was performed. Results The results showed differences depending on their level of physical activity on HR, conditioned by sarcopenia (p < .05) and walked distance (p < .001), and in dyspnoea conditioned by pain perception (p < .01) and social (p < .001) and psychological motivation to exercise (p < .05). There were also differences in SaO₂ depending on their level of physical activity (p < .0001). Differences were between HPA with both the MPA and LPA who had higher HR, higher dyspnoea, and lower SaO₂ when conducting the 6MWT test. Conclusions When interpreting the results of a 6MWT in older adult women there are other factors that can interfere, and must be considered, in addition to their level of physical activity, such as pain, sarcopenia, and motivation to exercise, thus, influencing their cardiorespiratory outcomes.