Brief communication (Original). The effect of physical activity on 6-minute walked distance among niqab wearing healthy Saudi women

Background: Wearing a face veil (niqab) was found to have a negative effect on the ventilatory function of Saudi adult women, which may challenge their functional exercise capacity.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of physical activity on a 6-minute walked distance (6-MWD) among young adult niqab-wearing healthy Saudi women.

Materials and Methods: Forty healthy young Saudi women were recruited for this study. The study participants (aged 22.8 ± 2.5 years) were selected from students and administrative staff at King Saud University. They were normotensive, nonsmokers, and of normal or mildly overweight. They were divided into 2 groups on basis of niqab wearing. A 6- minute walk test was implemented as measure of the participant’s functional exercise capacity. Their physical activity level was expressed as low, moderate, or high levels using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. Comparisons between the basal physiological characters of the 2 groups, 6-MWD, and physical activity level were conducted. A two-way independent ANOVA was used to study the interaction of niqab wearing and the physical activity level on the 6-MWD for niqab wearing women.

Results: Women in the niqab wearing group had a significantly higher physical activity level and longer 6-MWD than those in the niqab nonwearing group (370.7 ± 62.95 and 510.0 ± 81.75 m (mean ± SD) respectively).

Conclusion: A physically active lifestyle improves and preserves the functional exercise capacity reflected by longer 6-MWD among the physically active niqab-wearing Saudi adult healthy women compared with less active women who did not wear the niqab.