FUNCTIONAL EXERCISE (SIX MINUTES WALK TEST) IN HEALTHY MALE ADULTS

ABSTRACT

Functional exercise capacity is the ability of a person to carry out daily activities of living such as walking, bathing or moving about. The six minutes walk test (6MWT) is a sub-maximal exercise test that reflects the functional exercise level for daily physical activities. It is an easy, simple, reliable test that scores a person on the distance they can cover in 6 minutes of walking. It is a practical test that requires a 30meter hallway but no exercise equipment or advanced training for technicians. The aim of this study was to determine the functional exercise capacity in healthy male adult subjects by measuring parameters such as oxygen saturation (SpO2) and Distance covered, Borg scale rating, and calculation of Body mass index (BMI). A total of fifty two (52) male adult subjects participated in this study within the age range of 18–27years from the University of Benin. In this design, Subjects were asked to walk as fast as possible for 6 minutes, walking back and forth on a 30meter hallway. The subjects Body mass index (BMI) were calculated before the test. The subjects baseline Borg scale and oxygen saturation were measured pre and post the six minute walk test. The number of laps walked was counted and recorded which was then multiplied by 60meters to get the total number of meters walked. Statistical analysis was done using graph pad prism version 8.1. Results were presented as mean ± SEM (standard error of mean). Paired student t-test was used to compare the mean of test and control values by P value of < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Based on this research findings, there was no significant change in postexercise compared to pre-exercise oxygen saturation levels during the 6-minute walk vii test in male adults. However, there was a significant increase in fatigue level using the Borg scale after exercise compared to before exercise. Additionally, the study found no significant correlation between oxygen saturation and the distance covered during the test, as well as no significant correlation between oxygen saturation and body mass index (BMI) in the participants.