Validity and Reliability of 2 Minutes Walking Test in Frailty Elderly

: Frailty and age-related conditions are associated with morbidity and mortality. The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) has been recommended by the American Thoracic Society to measure exercise capacity, but it is time-consuming for the investigator and exhausting for frailty elderly. This study aims to investigate the validity and reliability of 2 minutes walking test (2MWT) as measurements of physical performance. A cross-sectional study was performed. Each subject performed 6MWT as a gold standard and two trials of 2MWT in two consecutive days at approximately the same time. The walking test was performed in the same corridor with the same starting point. The subject was allowed to used ambulation aid. Frailty was measured using the Cardiovascular Health Study score. The final subjects included sixty elderly (26 men, 34 women with mean age 73.40 years old). Pearson's r correlation of VO2max between 6MWT and 2MWT was strong (r= 0.791, p=0.000). The 6MWT and 2MWT showed excellent reliability (ICC=0.926, p=0.000). The 2MWT was shown to be a reliable and valid test for assessment of exercise capacity following rehabilitation in frailty elderly. It is practical, simple, and well-tolerated by frailty Elderly.