A Practical Cardiovascular Health Assessment for Manual Wheelchair Users During the 6-Minute Push Test

TL;DR

This study shows that the 6-Minute Push Test can estimate aerobic capacity in wheelchair users without needing specialized equipment.

Contribution

The study introduces predictive models using 6MPT data to estimate VO2max in manual wheelchair users.

Findings

Distance covered during the 6MPT significantly correlates with VO2max (r = 0.685, p < 0.001).

A model using distance and maximum heart rate explains 56.1% of VO2max variance (R2 = 0.561).

The 6MPT offers a practical alternative to traditional VO2max testing for wheelchair users.

Abstract

Traditional VO2max testing methods are often impractical for manual wheelchair users, as they rely on lower-body exercise protocols, require specialized equipment, and trained personnel. The 6-Minute Push Test (6MPT) is a widely used cardiovascular assessment that may provide a feasible alternative for estimating aerobic capacity in this population. This study aimed to develop a predictive model for VO2max using physiological variables recorded during the 6MPT. Twenty-eight participants (14 novice and 14 expert manual wheelchair users) completed the test while wearing a VO2 mask and heart rate monitor. Spearman correlation analysis showed that distance covered during the 6MPT significantly correlated with VO2max (r = 0.685, p < 0.001). A stepwise linear regression identified two predictive models: one using distance alone (R2 = 0.416, p < 0.001) and another incorporating both distance and maximum heart rate (R2 = 0.561, p < 0.001). These models offer practical estimations of VO2max, eliminating separate protocols. Our findings suggest that the 6MPT can serve as a simple, cost-effective alternative to laboratory-based VO2 testing, facilitating routine cardiovascular fitness assessments for manual wheelchair users in clinical and community settings. Future research should focus on validating these models in a larger, more diverse cohort to enhance their generalizability.

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