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Observational Study
. 2020 Mar 2;46(1):e20180267.
doi: 10.1590/1806-3713/e20180267. eCollection 2020.

Reference values for the Unsupported Upper Limb Exercise test in healthy adults in Brazil

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Vanessa Pereira Lima  1   2 , Marcelo Velloso  3   4 , Bruno Porto Pessoa  3   4 , Fabiana Damasceno Almeida  3   4 , Giane Amorim Ribeiro-Samora  3   4 , Tania Janaudis-Ferreira  5   6
Affiliations
Observational Study

Reference values for the Unsupported Upper Limb Exercise test in healthy adults in Brazil

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Vanessa Pereira Lima et al. J Bras Pneumol. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To establish reference values for the Unsupported Upper Limb EXercise (UULEX) test, which measures peak arm exercise capacity, in healthy adults in Brazil.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, involving presumably healthy individuals ≥ 30 years of age who completed questionnaires and underwent spirometry. All of the individuals underwent two UULEX tests 30-min apart. The outcome measure was the maximum time (in min) to completion of the test.

Results: We included 100 individuals between 30 and 80 years of age. The mean test completion time was 11.99 ± 1.90 min among the women and 12.89 ± 2.15 min among the men (p = 0.03). The test completion time showed statistically significant correlations with age (r = -0.48; p < 0.001), gender (r = 0.28; p = 0.004), body mass index (BMI, r = -0.20; p = 0.05), and height (r = 0.28; p = 0.005). Linear regression analysis showed that the predictors of UULEX completion time were age (p = 0.000), BMI (p = 0.003), and gender (p = 0.019), which collectively explained 30% of the total variability. The mean UULEX completion time was 6% lower for the women than for the men.

Conclusions: The present study was able to establish reference values for the UULEX test in healthy adults in Brazil. The values were influenced by age, gender, and BMI.

Objetivo:: Estabelecer valores normativos para o teste Unsupported Upper Limb EXercise (UULEX), que mede o pico de exercício de membros superiores, em adultos saudáveis no Brasil.

Métodos:: Estudo transversal envolvendo indivíduos com idade ≥ 30 anos considerados saudáveis após serem submetidos a questionários e espirometria. Os indivíduos realizaram dois testes UULEX com intervalo de 30 min entre eles. A variável de desfecho foi o tempo máximo de realização do teste em min.

Resultados:: Foram incluídos 100 indivíduos com idade entre 30 e 80 anos. As médias de tempo de realização do teste foram de 11,99 ± 1,90 min e 12,89 ± 2,15 min em homens e mulheres, respectivamente (p = 0,03). Houve uma correlação estatisticamente significante entre o tempo de execução do UULEX e idade (r = −0,48; p < 0,001), sexo (r = 0,28; p = 0,004), índice de massa corpórea (IMC; r = −0,20; p = 0,05) e altura (r = 0,28; p = 0,005). A análise de regressão linear mostrou que as variáveis idade (p < 0,001), IMC (p = 0,003) e sexo (p = 0,019) são preditoras do UULEX, explicando 30% da variabilidade total no tempo de realização do teste. A média do tempo de realização do UULEX foi 6% menor nas mulheres que nos homens.

Conclusões:: O presente estudo foi capaz de fornecer valores normativos para o teste UULEX em adultos saudáveis no Brasil. Esses valores foram influenciados pela idade, sexo e IMC.

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Figure 1. Volunteer performing the test.
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