Changes in beat by beat heart rate slopes during six minute walk test among healthy adult Saudi male students

Clinically, six minute walk test (6MWT) is the most common exercise test. It is used to estimate the level of physical fitness among patients. The aim of this research to measure the beat by beat heart rate slopes instead of depending on the covered distance to predicate and estimate the level of physical fitness during 6MWT. Seventy (70) healthy adult male students aged between 18 to 27 years were recruited randomly from the general Saudi population in Riyadh. 6 MWT using 50 meter corridor was performed according to standardized American Thoracic Society (ATS) guidelines. Mean distance walked in 6 minutes (470.5±64.6 meters) and beat by beat heart rate (HR) was calculated by heart rate monitor. In addition Body mass index (BMI), Body surface area (BSA), Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (BRPE) and Maximum predicted heart rate percentage (MPHRP) was also calculated. A stepwise regression equation was used to predict six minute walk test distance (6MWTD), six minute walk test slope (6MWTS) and recovery slope. There was a significant correlation between 6MWTS and the recovery slope (r= -0.460, p <0.001), 6MWTS with 6MWTD (r= 0.264, p<0.05) and recovery slope with 6MWTD (r= -0.249, p <0.05). In conclusion, both 6MWTS and recovery slope can predict the 6MWD.