The UKK 6 minute Walk Test is a simple and safe tool for predicting cardiorespiratory fitness of healthy adults in field conditions.
Whom is the test suitable for?
This UKK Six-minute Walk Test on a 15m track is meant for 18-70 year old healthy adults who are able to walk 6 minutes vigorously without cardiorespiratory or musculoskeletal limitations.
How is it performed?
The test is performed by walking a 15m track back and forth as fast as possible for 6 minutes. The results of the test are walking distance (ability to walk fast) and predicted maximal oxygen uptake in ml per kg in minutes (VO2max) calculated from test results and personal characteristics. The prediction accuracy for VO2max is about 1 MET (3,5 ml/kg/min).
The UKK 6 minute Walk Test includes a pre-test health screening, which ensures safe participation. The test should preferably be performed under guidance of an experienced tester to ensure reliable results.
The computer software designed for the UKK Six-minute Walk Test provides an individual fitness classification and an exercise prescription based on the obtained fitness level. The software will be released for sale in 2019.
Original article
Ari Mänttäri, Jaana Suni, Harri Sievänen, Pauliina Husu, Henri Vähä-Ypyä, Heli Valkeinen, Kari Tokola and Tommi Vasankari. Six-minute walk test: a tool for predicting maximal aerobic power (VO2 max) in healthy adults. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging (2018) 38, pp1038–1045. doi: 10.1111/cpf.12525
Last updated: 31.8.2022