Relationship Between the 6-minute Walk Test and Correlates of Type 2 Diabetes: Indication for caution in exercise prescription

Abstract

Physical exercise is adjudged effective in the prevention and co-management of Type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, because of the different levels of exercise capacity; it must be prescribed with caution based on the individual’s peculiarities. The link between the 6-minute walk test and some correlates of T2D was investigated.
This cross-sectional study of 58 consenting patients with T2D was conducted at the diabetes clinic of a secondary health centre in Kano, Nigeria. The measurements included the 6-Minute Walk Distance (6MWD) for exercise capacity and the T2D correlates including age, body mass index, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio. The relationships between the parameters were determined using the Pearson’s correlation coefficient at a significance level of 0.05.
The participants consisted of 36 males (62.1%) and 22 females (37.9%). The mean 6MWD for males was 302 ± 33.28 meters and was shorter in women. The 6MWD correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with each of age [r = -0.78 (males), -0.62 (females)], waist circumference [r = -0.82 (males), -0.77 (females)] and body mass index [r = -0.66 (males), -0.74 (females)], while the waist hip ratio correlated significantly with the 6MWD only in the male participants (r = -0.59).
Low exercise capacity in patients with T2D was associated with higher age and adiposity. Prescription of physical exercise to patients with T2D who present with one or a combination of these variables should be done with care in order not to exceed safe limits.

KEY WORDS: type 2 diabetes, physical exercise, age, body mass index, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio