Objective:
The aim of this study is to compared and modelling the performances of healthy and pathological subjects during the 6 minutes walking test in water immersion (6mWTWI).
Material and method:
A healthy group (n=23) and a pathological group (n=32) performed this 6mWT under two different water depths: umbilical and xiphoïd process levels. The healthy group performed twice the 6mWTWI and a land 6MWT. There were the same conditions for both groups. Subjects were equipped with heart rate monitors (Polar®). The speeds, distance, heart rate (HR) were measured and a physical cost index (PCI) was calculated.
Results:
There is a reproducibility of the 6mWTWI after the analysis of the healthy group performances. At comfortable speed, PCI values are not significantly different between those two groups, but there is a difference on dry ground. The increase of HR is more important with the 6mWT compared to the HR at rest (HRR), even if the HR is less high than the pathological group’s HR and HRR.
Discussion:
The 6mWTWI is reliable, reproducibility and its protocol is accessible. Walking in water elicits higher muscle activities. The immersion level affects performances; more the immersion is depth, more the distance decrease but the PCI does not increase proportionally. The results’ modelling of the 6mWTWI is an important tool for measuring the physical and the motor level of the patient.
Keywords:
6mWT, Water walking, PCI, Modelling of performance, Distance, HR.