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. 2013 Mar-Apr;39(2):190-7.
doi: 10.1590/s1806-37132013000200010.

Reference values for the incremental shuttle walk test in healthy subjects: from the walk distance to physiological responses

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Victor Zuniga Dourado  1 , Ricardo Luís Fernandes Guerra, Suzana Erico Tanni, Letícia Cláudia de Oliveira Antunes, Irma Godoy
Affiliations

Reference values for the incremental shuttle walk test in healthy subjects: from the walk distance to physiological responses

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Victor Zuniga Dourado et al. J Bras Pneumol. 2013 Mar-Apr.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To determine reference values for incremental shuttle walk distance (ISWD) and peak physiological responses during the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), as well as to develop a series of predictive equations for those variables in healthy adults.

Methods: We evaluated 103 healthy participants > 40 years of age (54 women and 49 men). We fitted each participant with a gas analysis system for use during the ISWT. Oxygen consumption (VO₂), carbon dioxide production, minute ventilation, heart rate (HR), ISWD, and maximal walking velocity (MWV) were obtained as primary outcomes. We also assessed hand grip strength (HGS) and lean body mass (LBM).

Results: The regression analysis models, including physiological variables, ISWD, and MWV (adjusted for age, body mass, height, and sex), produced R² values ranging from 0.40 to 0.65 (for HR and peak VO₂, respectively). Using the models including LBM or HGS, we obtained no significant increase in the R² values for predicting peak VO₂, although the use of those models did result in slight increases in the R² values for ISWD and MWV (of 8% and 12%, respectively). The variables ISWD, MWV, and ISWD × body mass, respectively, explained 76.7%, 73.3%, and 81.2% of peak VO₂ variability.

Conclusions: Our results provide reference values for ISWD and physiological responses to the ISWT, which can be properly estimated by determining simple demographic and anthropometric characteristics in healthy adults > 40 years of age. The ISWT could be used in assessing physical fitness in the general adult population and in designing individualized walking programs.

OBJETIVO:: Determinar valores de referência para a distância caminhada (DC) e para respostas fisiológicas durante o teste de caminhada com carga progressiva (TCCP) e desenvolver equações preditivas para essas variáveis em adultos saudáveis.

MÉTODOS:: Foram avaliados 103 participantes saudáveis com idade ≥ 40 anos (54 mulheres e 49 homens). Os participantes usaram um sistema de análise de gases durante o TCCP. Consumo de oxigênio (VO2), liberação de gás carbônico, ventilação minuto, frequência cardíaca (FC), DC e velocidade máxima da caminhada (VMC) foram obtidos como desfechos primários. Avaliamos também a força de preensão manual (FPM) e a massa magra corporal (MMC).

RESULTADOS:: Os modelos de regressão utilizando variáveis fisiológicas, DC e VMC ajustados por idade, massa corporal, estatura e sexo apresentaram valores de R2 entre 0,40 e 0,65 (para FC e pico de VO2, respectivamente). Os modelos incluindo MMC e FPM não aumentaram consideravelmente os valores de R2 na previsão do pico de VO2, embora esses modelos tenham aumentado discretamente os valores do R2 para DC e VMC (8% e 12%, respectivamente). As variáveis DC, VMC e DC × massa corporal, respectivamente, explicaram 76,7%, 73,3% e 81,2% da variabilidade do pico de VO2.

CONCLUSÕES:: Nossos resultados originaram valores de referência para a DC e respostas fisiológicas ao TCCP, que podem ser estimados adequadamente por características demográficas e antropométricas simples em adultos saudáveis com idade ≥ 40 anos. O TCCP poderia ser utilizado na avaliação da capacidade física na população geral de adultos e no desenvolvimento de programas de caminhada individualizados.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Significant correlations between peak VO2 and incremental shuttle walk distance (ISWD), as well as between peak VO2 and maximal walking velocity (MWV), during the incremental shuttle walk test.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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