The 6-meter walk test is a simple, effective and cost-effective procedure for assessing the mobility and walking ability of people, especially the elderly.
This test can not only reflect a person’s overall health, but also provide information about possible health risks.
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How well are you aging? The 6 meter walk test reveals it
Doctors in longevity clinics put the 6thminutes-Go in to find out how well people age around the world. But there is a faster method.
Sara Bonnesmedical director of the Healthy Longevity Clinic at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, US, says the 6-meter-Walking test is almost as informative and requires significantly less walking and time.
The 6-meter walk test measures the time it takes a person to walk a distance of six meters at a normal walking pace. The test is straightforward and only requires a straight, level path six meters long and a stopwatch.
Sara Bonnes explained Business Insider magazinethat the 6-meter walking test is carried out on all patients who come to the clinic. The test is a “marker for their functional performance,” says Bonnes.
The 6-meter walk test is a good way to quickly determine how well a patient is aging. All you need is a relatively flat, open and straight sidewalk. Subjects should not have to walk in circles to avoid becoming dizzy. The path should also be free of obstacles so that you don’t stumble.
How to do the 6 meter walk test
- Measure a 6 meter distance on straight, level ground: Sara Bonnes uses the clinic’s hallway for the test. Mark the end of the route with an orange cone or other clearly visible object.
- Before starting, give the test person about two meters time to adjust to the speed: This test is intended to measure the fastest walking speed, so give the test subject a small head start to get going.
- Measure time with a stopwatch or timer: The time should only be for the 6 meter distance, not the warm-up phase.
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6-meter walk test: This is what the results say
You can use the result to calculate your walking speed. The faster you are, the better your fitness will be as you age. Sara Bonnes’ patients, who are between 60 and 80 years old, cover the 6-meter distance in an average of 0.94 to 1.13 meters per second. You can use this specification to test whether you or your loved ones are above or below average.
The 6-meter walk test is “best for older patients,” Bonnes says. But if someone has a low score for their age, then they should work on their fitness, exercise more and build more muscles.
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