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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Int J Sports Med 2024; 45(03): 222-230
DOI: 10.1055/a-2206-5291
Training & Testing

The 6-minute Run Test: Validation and Reference Equations for Adults

Malte Leuschner 
1   Institute of Movement and Neurosciences, Department for physical activity in public health, Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln, Köln, Germany
,
Martin Grauduszus
1   Institute of Movement and Neurosciences, Department for physical activity in public health, Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln, Köln, Germany
,
David Friesen
1   Institute of Movement and Neurosciences, Department for physical activity in public health, Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln, Köln, Germany
,
Nina Ferrari
1   Institute of Movement and Neurosciences, Department for physical activity in public health, Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln, Köln, Germany
2   Cologne Centre for Prevention in Childhood and Youth/Heart Centre Cologne, Uniklinik Köln, Köln, Germany
,
Marlen Klaudius
1   Institute of Movement and Neurosciences, Department for physical activity in public health, Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln, Köln, Germany
,
Christine Joisten
1   Institute of Movement and Neurosciences, Department for physical activity in public health, Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln, Köln, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Fundings Sportärztebund Nordrhein e.V.
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Abstract

Endurance performance tests directly measuring cardiorespiratory fitness are complex, but field tests indirectly assessing maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) are an alternative. This study aimed to validate the 6-minute run test in adults, comparing it to the established shuttle run test, and to create reference equations. The cross-over design involved healthy adults aged 18–65 undertaking both tests, separated by a two-hour interval. The 6-minute run test required participants to run around a volleyball court for six minutes, aiming to maximize distance covered. The shuttle run involved participants covering 20 meters in defined time intervals at increasing speeds. Parameters measured included 6-minute run test distance, heart rates, calculated maximum oxygen uptake during the shuttle run, and total shuttle count. The study enrolled 250 participants (134 men and 116 women). Men averaged 1195.7 m (SD=161.4), while women averaged 1051.2 m (SD=148.0) in six minutes. The strongest correlation was found between the distance covered in the 6-minute run test and the total shuttle count (r=0.91, p<0.001). Two predictive models for 6-minute run test distance were developed and normative values for different sex-specific age clusters were established. The study showed that the 6-minute run test is valid as a practical endurance test for adults aged 18–65.

Key words

exercise - shuttle run test - cardiorespiratory fitness - 6 minute run test - endurance

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 12 September 2023

Accepted: 11 October 2023

Article published online:
19 December 2023

© 2023. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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