• Alec Bass, Rachel Brosseau, Simon Décary, Cindy Gauthier, and Dany H Gagnon.
• From the Pathokinesiology Laboratory, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal (CRIR) of the Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Services Sociaux (CIUSSS) du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada (AB, SD, CG, DHG); and School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada (AB, RB, SD, CG, DHG).
• Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2020 Dec 1; 99 (12): 1099-1108.

ObjectiveThe 6-Min Manual Wheelchair Propulsion Test is proposed to easily and rapidly assess aerobic fitness among long-term (≥3 mos) manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury. However, aerobic responses to this test have not been established. This study aimed (1) to characterize aerobic responses during the 6-Min Manual Wheelchair Propulsion Test, (2) to establish parallel reliability between the 6-Min Manual Wheelchair Propulsion Test and the Maximal Arm Crank Ergometer Test, and (3) to quantify the strength of association between the total distance traveled during the 6-Min Manual Wheelchair Propulsion Test and peak oxygen consumption.DesignTwenty manual wheelchair users with a spinal cord injury completed both tests. Aerobic parameters were measured before, during, and after the tests. Main outcome measures were peak oxygen consumption and total distance traveled.ResultsProgressive cardiorespiratory responses, consistent with guidelines for exercise testing, were observed during both tests. Similar peak oxygen consumption values were obtained during both tests (6-Min Manual Wheelchair Propulsion Test: 20.2 ± 4.9 ml/kg·min; Maximal Arm Crank Ergometer Test: 20.4 ± 5.0 ml/kg·min), were highly correlated (r = 0.92, P < 0.001), and had a good agreement (mean absolute difference = 0.21, 95% confidence interval = -0.70 to 1.11, P = 0.639). The peak oxygen consumption and total distance traveled (mean = 636.6 ± 56.9 m) during the 6-Min Manual Wheelchair Propulsion Test were highly correlated (r = 0.74, P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe 6-Min Manual Wheelchair Propulsion Test induces progressive aerobic responses consistent with guidelines for exercise testing and can be used to efficiently estimate aerobic fitness in manual wheelchair users with a spinal cord injury.To Claim Cme CreditsComplete the self-assessment activity and evaluation online at http://www.physiatry.org/JournalCME CME OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this article, the reader should be able to: (1) Explain how to administer the Six-Minute Manual Wheelchair Propulsion Test in long-term manual wheelchair users with a spinal cord injury; (2) Contrast how the workload is developed between the Six-Minute Manual Wheelchair Propulsion Test and the Maximal Arm Crank Ergometry Test and recognize how these differences may affect physiological responses; and (3) Explain why caution is advised regarding the use of the Six-Minute Manual Wheelchair Propulsion Test if aiming to estimate aerobic fitness.LevelAdvanced ACCREDITATION: The Association of Academic Physiatrists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.The Association of Academic Physiatrists designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

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