Six minute walking test: an old tool with new applications

Abstract

In 1976 McGavin and colleagues invented a sim- ple, easy to apply and reproducible test assessing exercise capacity in patients with chronic bronchitis. McGavin, at that time registrar at the City Hospital in Edinburgh, probably did not expect such a promising future for his timed walk test. The test not only stood well the advent of sophisticated cardiopulmonary exercise testing but also has been used by other medical specialties serving many pur- poses up to the 21st century.