Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: November | Volume: 7 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 139-143
Comparison of Six Minute Walk Test in Urban Versus Rural Indian Children in the Age Group of 6 – 11 Years
Desai Upasna1, Thakur Anuprita2
1MPT, 2Professor,
School Of Physiotherapy, D. Y. Patil University, Navi Mumbai
Corresponding Author: Thakur Anuprita
ABSTRACT
Objective: This study compared the performance of six minute walk test in children aged 6 to 11 years in urban and rural areas of Maharashtra (India).
Method:Prospective, cross sectional design. Participants/patients: 300 children between 6 to 11 years of age were selected by convenient sampling from rural, urban slum and urban affluent areas. The socioeconomic status and physical activity level of each child was assessed. The six minute walk test was conducted on each of these subjects and parameters like heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate were recorded before and after the test. The distance covered during the walk test was noted.
Results and Conclusion:
A difference in the distance covered in six minutes by children was observed between the three categories. The children in the rural areas covered the maximum distance of 632.32+ 96.17 meters, followed by affluent urban children of 492.92+100.60 meters and least distance was covered by those dwelling in the urban slums ie 399.27+901 meters. A moderate positive correlation was observed between physical activity and the distance covered during the test. Thus the study concluded that the socioeconomic status and physical activity level should be considered while assessing the 6 minute walk test in children.
Key words: Children, Physical activity, Rural, Urban, Six minute walk test