Note that this article is part of a series of articles on assessment. If you have not done so, first, read this articles:

• • • • Must-Have Test and Organizing Your School-based Assessment – discusses the 5 critical reasons for assessing participation first
      • 3 Principles for Selecting Tests – discusses the 3 principles to use when selecting tests at the activity and body function & structure levels

Q: What are the best…Walking Tests for Endurance?

In this list, we include our favorite walking tests for endurance. If you are interested in short-distance walking tests, or endurance tests that do not require walking, click here: Top 3 Tests for Walking Short Distances and Top 3 Tests for Endurance that Do Not Require Walking.

1. 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)

The classic test for walking endurance. 

• • • Test instruction: Click here for the 6-Minute Walk Test procedures
    • Reference Data: Click here for the data from 1 study
    • Time for administration: 10 minutes
    • Equipment needed: timer, floor tape, cones
    • Why we like this test: It’s a classic!
    • What to note: The 6MWT is designed to be a test of submaximal endurance. Be careful when testing individuals with cardiorespiratory issues. It would be good practice to test for Heart Rate and to use a Perceived Exertion Scale with this test.

2. 2-Minute Walk Test (2MWT)

Research showed that, generally, the distance walked in the first 2 minutes of the 6MWT is typically the same as in the last 2 minutes of the 6MWT. So why not just shorten it to 2 minutes?! Hence, the 2MWT was born.

• • • Test instruction: The same instructions as the 6-Minute Walk Test, just shortened to 2 minutes of walking
    • Reference Data: Click here for the reference data, page 18
    • Time for administration: 5 minutes
    • Equipment needed: timer, floor tape, cones
    • Why we like this test: So much shorter, so more likely easier for children than the 6MWT.
    • What to note: We also like that the reference data from the NIH (via the link above) is robust, including ages 3 to 85 years old!

3. Energy Expenditure Index (EEI)

The EEI measures the energy cost or efficiency of walking at a comfortable speed or a fast speed for 2 to 3 minutes. The Modified EEI (link below) excluded the use of the resting heart rate in the calculation, which the authors found to improve correlation with the results of the 1-mile walk/run test. 

• • • Test instruction: 
      • Click here for the EEI test procedures
      • Click here for the Modified EEI Test procedures
    • Reference Data: Small group averages are available in the above links
    • Time for administration: 10 minutes
    • Equipment needed: timer, pulse monitor, floor tape
    • Why we like this test: Still shorter than the 6MWT. You can test the use of 2 different assistive walking devices to find out what is more efficient.
    • What to note: Fair warning…there’s a bit of math involved here. Calculate slowly, step-by-step.

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References:

ATS Committee on Proficiency Standards for Clinical Pulmonary Function Laboratories. (2002). ATS statement: guidelines for the six-minute walk test. Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 166, 111-117.

Haley, S. M., Pinkham, M. A. F., Dumas, H. M., Ni, P., Skrinar, A. M., & Cox, G. F. (2006). A physical performance measure for individuals with mucopolysaccharidosis type I. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 48(7), 576-581.

Lammers, A. E., Hislop, A. A., Flynn, Y., & Haworth, S. G. (2008). The 6-minute walk test: normal values for children of 4–11 years of age. Archives of disease in childhood, 93(6), 464-468.

Rose, J., Gamble, J. G., Lee, J., Lee, R., & Haskell, W. L. (1991). The energy expenditure index: a method to quantitate and compare walking energy expenditure for children and adolescents. Journal of pediatric orthopedics, 11(5), 571-578.