COMPARATIVE EFFECT OF SIX MINUTES WALK TEST ON OXIDATIVE STRESS MARKER

ABSTRACT

The six minute walk test is simply a submaximal cardiopulmonary functional exercise which can be used to establish the level of functional impairment of an individual. Six minute walk test predicts the outcome of patient reflecting life quality, morbidity and mortality. There is a close relationship between aerobictype exercise and oxygen consumption. It has been established that cellular respiration enhanced during exercise causes the production of reactive oxygen species which are partially reduced oxygen derivatives. Six minute walk test major indication is for assessing and monitoring the response to medical interventions in patients with heart or lung disease be it moderate to severe. Oxygen consumption has been listed as one of the best indicator of this capacity with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) patient having increased levels of oxidative stress markers. This study was aimed at determining the effect of six minute walk test on oxidative stress marker (catalase) and oxygen saturation in males and females. 104 subject were recruited for this study, in which they were 52 males and 52 females. Prior to the onset of the study, all participants were informed about the procedure of the test to their satisfaction. The six minute walk test was performed on a flat, straight enclosed corridor with a walking course of 30meters in length. Then th subjects height and weight was measured using the stadiometer. The subjects were made to sit to rest for 10 minutes located near the starting point and their pre-walk oxygen saturation was measured using the pulse oximeter. They were then instructed to walk back and forth as fast as possible for six minute on a 30meter walkway. After the six minute walk the distance was measured using the measuring tape and post walk oxygen saturation was measured using the pulse oximeter. Then blood sample was taken after the walk from the subjects using a 5ml syringe and was transferred into a plain sample bottle. Catalase activity was determined by spectrophotometric method at the chemical pathology laboratory of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Statistical analysis was done using graph pad prism version 8.1. Results were presented as mean + SEM (standard error of mean). Unpaired student t- test was used to compare the mean of test and control values. P value of < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The results revealed no statistically significant difference. With the data obtained from this research, it was observed that the six minute walk test had no significant impact on the level of catalase and oxygen saturation in males compared to females.