Current data confirm that the 6MWT , ISWT and ESWT are valid , reliable and responsive to change with some interventions .
However , results are sensitive to small changes in methodology .
Field walking tests are commonly employed to evaluate exercise capacity , assess prognosis and evaluate treatment response in chronic respiratory diseases .
In recent years , there has been a wealth of new literature pertinent to the conduct of the 6-min walk test ( 6MWT ) , and a growing evidence base describing the incremental and endurance shuttle walk tests ( ISWT and ESWT , respectively ) .
The aim of this document is to describe the st and ard operating procedures for the 6MWT , ISWT and ESWT , which can be consistently employed by clinicians and research ers .
The timed walk test as a measure of severity and survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ( IPF ) is a relentlessly progressive disease with a median survival of ∼3 yrs . Measurements of airflow and lung volumes at rest are generally used to monitor the clinical course in this disorder . This study was design ed to determine if a modified version of the 6-min walk test , called the timed walk test , accurately characterises disease severity and survival in IPF . The study population consisted of 28 patients with well-characterised progressive IPF . The timed walk test and concurrent measures of disease severity were assessed at baseline . Participants were prospect ively followed for ≥4 yrs to determine the relationship between parameters of the timed walk test and survival . There were strong correlations between the end-exercise saturation and walk-velocity parameters of the timed walk test and diffusing capacity , and arterial oxygen tension at rest . In univariate Cox proportional-hazards models , end-exercise saturation , change in saturation with exercise , walk distance and walk velocity were associated with survival . In unadjusted logistic regression models , odds of death at 2 yrs were associated with the same parameters . In conclusion ,  the timed walk test relates to disease severity and long-term outcome in progressive idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Current data confirm that the 6MWT , ISWT and ESWT are valid , reliable and responsive to change with some interventions .
However , results are sensitive to small changes in methodology .
Field walking tests are commonly employed to evaluate exercise capacity , assess prognosis and evaluate treatment response in chronic respiratory diseases .
In recent years , there has been a wealth of new literature pertinent to the conduct of the 6-min walk test ( 6MWT ) , and a growing evidence base describing the incremental and endurance shuttle walk tests ( ISWT and ESWT , respectively ) .
The aim of this document is to describe the st and ard operating procedures for the 6MWT , ISWT and ESWT , which can be consistently employed by clinicians and research ers .