Shuttle walking test in obese women: test‐retest reliability and concurrent validity with peak oxygen uptake. (3rd March 2014) - Jürgensen, Soraia P.
Summary Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the test–retest reliability, concurrent validity and agreement with peak oxygen uptake (VO2) obtained during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) on a treadmill for the incremental shuttle walking test (ISWT) in obese women. Methods Prospective study with a convenient sample of 46 community‐dwelling obese women (BMI > 30 kg m−2). The main outcome measures were walking distance on the ISWT and peak VO2. Results Test–retest reliability was good to excellent for the exercise tests (ISWT distance ICC: 0·90; and CPX peak VO2 ICC: 0·90). Peak VO2 obtained during CPX correlated significantly with ISWT distance (r = 0·54, P<0·05) and peak VO2 obtained during the ISWT (r = 0·64, P<0·05). Bland and Altman plots demonstrated a high degree of repeatability. Conclusion The ISWT had excellent reliability as well as good concurrent validity and agreement. The ISWT may be a potential tool for monitoring clinical status and intervention efficacy (e.g. programmes for weight loss and rehabilitative strategies) in this population.