ECUACIONES PREDICTIVAS DE LA PRUEBA DE CAMINATA DE  SEIS MINUTOS EN VENEZOLANOS ADULTOS: INCLUSIÓN DE UNA  VARIABLE NOVEDOSA

Hugo Saenz Leidinger; Martha Gadaleta Freites; Santiago Guzmán Córdova; Alberto Camardiel Aramburu

doi:10.56538/ramr.KIEH4266

Authors

Hugo Saenz Leidinger Instituto Clínico La Florida, Caracas - Venezuela https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3859-2586
Martha Gadaleta Freites La Florida Instituto Clínico Caracas - Venezuela.
Santiago Guzmán Córdova La Florida Instituto Clínico Av. Los Samanes Norte Urb. La Florida Caracas - Venezuela; Hospital José Gregorio Hernández, Caracas –Venezuela https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3217-2441
Alberto Camardiel Aramburu Escuela de Estadística y Ciencias Actuariales Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas –Venezuela

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56538/ramr.KIEH4266

Keywords:

six-minute walk test, reference equations, waist circumference, obesity

Abstract

Introduction: The six-minute walk test is simple, low-cost, and resembles daily physical activity. Multiple factors influence the test performance in different regions; therefore, predictive equations have been developed based on specific sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics. To date, no reference equations exist for the Venezuelan population.
Objectives: To develop native predictive equations for the six minute walk test distance.
To analyze and compare local data with equations derived from other countries.
Methods: An observational and prospective study was conducted between july 2024 and march 2025 with 247 venezuelan adults over 30 years old, of both sexes. Two tests were performed, selecting the longest distance walked for data analysis in order to identify variables with the highest predictive value.
Results: Independent variables with the greatest predictive power were sex, age, height, and waist circumference. The resulting equation, with an R² of 50%, was: 6MWT (m) = 278.7 – 58.6 × sex* – 1.2 × age + 3.24 × height (cm) – 2 × waist circumference
(cm) + sex* × waist circumference (sex*: male = 1, female = 0). On average, men walked 616.5 meters (m) and women 547.2 m.

Conclusions: Comparisons with foreign equations showed underestimations or overestimations when applied to our population. The inclusion of waist circumference as a predictive variable is novel and highlights the importance of visceral fat as a relevant factor in daily physical activity. A 20 minutes rest period between both tests is recommended.