Cardiovascular Assessment of Manual Wheelchair Users with 6-Minute Push Test: VO2 Formula.

Abstract

Manual wheelchair users are prone to a more sedentary lifestyle due to their limited mobility and, therefore, decreased cardiovascular health. Regular assessment of their cardiovascular fitness can help with appropriate interventions and overall improvement in their quality of life. One way of assessing cardiovascular health of manual wheelchair users is the 6 -minute push test (6MPT), adapted from the 6 -minute walk test. In this study, 5 novice and 5 expert wheelchair users performed the 6MPT while wearing a heart rate monitor and $\text{VO}_{2}$ mask. Significant correlation ($\mathrm{r}=0.685, \mathrm{p}=0.029$) was found between the distance completed and the max value of the $\text{VO}_{2}$ recorded during the 6MPT. Additionally, a linear regression model was constructed and found statistically significant $(\mathrm{F}(1,8)=22.3, \mathrm{p}=0.0015)$. The model can serve clinicians as a convenient and direct indicator of cardiovascular fitness for manual wheelchair users without the need of additional heartrate sensors or $\text{VO}_{2}$ mask.