Objectives: to evaluate the concurrent validity of the six-minute step test (6MST) in assessing exercise capacity of COPD patients using the six-minute walk test (6MWT) as a gold-standard. The predictive validity of the 6MST was assessed to determine a cut-off point for identification of low exercise capacity. Method: thirty-two COPD patients (50-87 years old) with mild to very severe obstruction performed the 6MST and 6MWT twice. Results:Concurrent validity: a strong positive correlation (Pearson) between the number of ascents on the first (T1), second (T2) and the best of both (T1 or T2) tests during the 6MWT was observed. Although a moderate negative correlation with BODE index and FEV1 was found, it was considered insufficient to test the validity, therefore ROC curves were not applied. The predictive validity (ROC) of the 6MST to identify low physical capacity (compared with the 6MWT) using the performance of T1 or T2, or solely T1 was considered accurate, and the area under the curve was 0.8 (IC95% 0.62-0.98) and 0.85 (IC95% 0.70-0.99), respectively. To classify patients, the cut-off points of 86 and 78 steps were chosen, with both values showing 90% of sensitivity and specificity of 64% and 68% for T1 or T2, or solely T1, respectively. Conclusion: The number of steps on the 6MST was valid to verify exercise capacity in COPD patients and the cut-off point of 78 steps was able to identify patients with poor exercise tolerance. Values under this cut-off point are considered to identify patients with a poorer prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Six-minute step test (6MST) has been used to assess functional capacity in chronic conditions; however, its reproducibility in the COPD population has not been evaluated. Our study objective was to evaluate 6MST reproducibility. METHODS: The test was performed in a single 20-cm height step, and subjects were instructed to step up and down (cadence-free) for 6 min. Subjects underwent three tests. The first and second were controlled by the same assessor with a 30-min interval. The third test was controlled by a different assessor one week later. For intrarater comparison, the first and second performances of the test were used, and for inter-assessor comparison, the better performance of the first two tests was compared with the third test. RE-SULTS: Excellent intra-rater and inter-rater relative reproducibility was observed (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.8), and there was no statistical difference (repeated measures of analysis of variance) among the performances of the three tests. Intra-rater error values were acceptable (mean error of 5.7 steps and limits of agreement between ؊7 and 18 steps). Inter-rater error values were not acceptable (mean error of 4.4 steps and limits of agreement between ؊20 and 29 steps. CONCLUSIONS: 6MST proved to be reproducible in the COPD population when performed by the same assessor.

OBJETIVOS: Verificar as respostas metabólicas, ventilatórias, cardiovasculares e de percepção de esforço entre o isotime de dois minutos do teste do degrau (TD2) e o teste do degrau de seis minutos (TD6) com o teste de sentar-se e levantar-se da cadeira de dois minutos (TSL) nos indivíduos com DPOC. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 11 homens com DPOC (71 ± 8 anos, VEF1 = 46,1 ± 15,2% previsto), clinicamente estáveis, por meio do TD6 e TSL associados à análise de gases e à coleta de lactato sanguíneo, realizadas em dias diferentes e não consecutivos. No TD2 e TD6, os indivíduos foram instruídos a subir e descer um degrau de 20 cm de altura o mais rápido possível. O mesmo foi recomendado no TSL, que foi realizado em uma cadeira de 46 cm de altura. RESULTADOS:Na análise intertestes não se observou diferença significativa nas variáveis metábolo-ventilatórias, cardiovasculares e Δdispneia no pico de ambos os testes, bem como no TD2. Quanto ao Δfrequκncia cardíaca e ao Δfadiga nos membros inferiores, constataram-se valores significantemente maiores para o TSL comparado ao TD2; e correlações positivas entre o consumo de oxigênio, Δfrequência cardíaca e os desempenhos no TD2 e TD6, entre os desempenhos no TD6 e TSL, e no TD2 com TSL. CONCLUSÃO:Os testes realizados apresentaram respostas metábolo-ventilatórias, cardiovasculares e dispneia similares; e o TD2 mostrou-se uma alternativa para avaliar as limitações funcionais dos indivíduos com DPOC de obstrução grave, proporcionando menor estresse cardiovascular e fadiga muscular se comparado ao TSL, pelas exigências metabólicas periféricas e ajustes posturais.

INTRODUÇÃO: A disfunção muscular periférica na doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) contribui diretamente para a intolerância ao exercício físico, porém ainda não há consenso sobre estratégias adequadas de treinamento físico para esses pacientes. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito do exercício resistido de membros superiores (MMSS) em pacientes com DPOC moderada a muito grave no ganho de força e na capacidade funcional. MÉTODOS: Doze pacientes com DPOC foram divididos em dois grupos: controle (GC) e treinado (GT). O GT realizou treinamento de força, três vezes por semana, durante seis semanas, com carga de 80% de uma repetição máxima (RM). Antes e após o tratamento, foram realizados os testes de 1 RM e o Pegboard and Ring Test (PBRT) em ambos os grupos. RESULTADOS: Após o tratamento, verificou-se aumento significativo da força muscular no GT (aumento de 52% no supino sentado e 22% no pulley, com p < 0,05); e quanto ao PBRT, não houve diferença significativa em ambos os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: O treinamento de força de MMSS com duração de seis semanas foi capaz de aumentar a força muscular, mas não a funcionalidade de pacientes com DPOC moderada a muito grave.

RESUMOIntrodução: Os testes caminhada de seis minutos (TC6) e degrau de seis minutos (TD6) são meios de avaliação da capacidade funcional. No entanto, pouco se sabe sobre sua reprodutibilidade em adultos jovens. Objetivo: Avaliar a reprodutibilidade relativa e absoluta tanto intra quanto inter-avaliadores do TC6 e TD6 em indivíduos adultos jovens. Métodos: Foram avaliados 33 indivíduos adultos jovens aparentemente saudáveis por meio da espirometria; e realizados os testes TC6 e TD6. Três (T1, T2 e T3) TC6 e TD6 foram feitos em cada indivíduo, sendo o último de cada teste realizado por um avaliador diferente. Para a análise intra-avaliadores foram comparados os desempenhos do T1 e T2 enquanto que a análise inter-avaliadores foi feita pela comparação dos desempenhos do T3 com: T1; T2; e escolha do melhor dos primeiros dois testes. Foi calculado o coeficiente de correlação intra-classe (CCI) como medida da reprodutibilidade relativa; o erro padrão de medida; a diferença mínima detectável; traçados gráficos de Bland-Altman e teste ANOVA para analisar a reprodutibilidade absoluta. Resultados: Observaram-se, nos dois testes funcionais, intra e inter-avaliadores, valores excelentes de reprodutibilidade relativa (CCI>0,75) e a reprodutibilidade absoluta mostrou alto erro. Conclusão: O TD6 e o TC6 apresentaram reprodutibilidade intra e inter-avaliadores excelente para a população adulto jovem, mas altos valores de erro.Palavras-chave: teste de esforço, exercício, adulto jovem. ABSTRACT Introduction: Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and Six Minute Step Test (6MST) are tests to evaluate functional capacity. However, reproducibility of these tests is still not well known in young adults. Objective:To evaluate intra and inter-rater relative and absolute reproducibility of 6MWT and 6MST in young adults. Methods: Thirty-three apparently health young adults were evaluated through spirometry, 6MWT and 6MST. Three (T1, T2 and T3)

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OBJECTIVETo determine if there is a correlation between the BODE Index and variables assessed during the Activities of Daily Living assessment, performance on lower limber tests, and peripheral muscle impairment of the upper limb in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.MATERIALS AND METHODSTen men (aged 58 to 80 years old) with moderate to very severe obstruction were evaluated and classified by the BODE Index. They were evaluated by pulmonary ventilation (V̇E), oxygen consumption (V̇O2), and carbonic gas production (V̇CO2) on the ADL assessment; Distance Walking (DW) in the Six Minute Walking Test (6MWT) and the Six Minute Walking Test on Treadmill (6MWTT); number of repetitions in the Sit-to-Stand Test; and the Hand Grip Strength Test. Correlations were evaluated between the classification and the tests performed (Pearson and Spearman test, p<0.05).RESULTSThe mean of the total score for the BODE Index was 2.80 (±1.03), with three patients scoring in the first quartile (Q1) and seven scoring in the second quartile (Q2). This Index showed a negative correlation with the 6MWTT (r=−0.86), the Sit-to-Stand Test (r=−0.66), and the Hand Grip Strength Test (r=−0.83).CONCLUSIONSOur results show that there is no correlation between the BODE Index and the ventilatory and metabolic responses in the Activities of Daily Living assessment. On the other hand, a correlation was observed between the BODE Index and the variables assessed in the 6MWTT, Sit-to-Stand Test, and Hand Grip Strength Test in moderate to very severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease patients. This suggests that these tests can be employed as predictors of physical exercise capacity, perhaps as complementary tests to the BODE Index.

Objectives: To compare the physical performance and responses obtained in the six-minute walking test (6MWT) and the six-minute step test (6MST) between asthmatic and healthy adolescents; and to investigate the relationship between the responses obtained in the tests and the body mass index (BMI), physical activity level and spirometric variables. Methods: Nineteen asthmatic adolescents (AG) and 19 healthy adolescents (HG) of both sexes, aged between 11 and 15 years, were assessed by means of spirometry, the 6MWT and the 6MST, and their physical activity levels were quantified using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Results: The AG had poorer physical performance, lower heart rate (HR) and greater lower-limb (LL) fatigue in the 6MST. In the 6MWT, the AG had positive correlations between walked distance (WD) and duration of intense activity, and between HR and BMI, whereas the HG had positive correlations between WD and HR and between WD and respiratory rate (RR). In the 6MST, the AG showed positive correlations between RR and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) and between duration of moderate activity and physical performance. The AG also showed negative correlations between physical performance in the 6MST and BMI, and between sensation of dyspnea and duration of walking. Also in the 6MST, the HG showed positive correlations between RR and MVV, and between BMI and LL fatigue (p≤0.05). Conclusion:The 6MST demonstrated differences in exercise capacity between the asthmatic and healthy individuals. Furthermore, the physical performance and responses obtained in the tests were correlated with the MVV, BMI and physical activity level.Key words: asthma; spirometry; muscle fatigue; dyspnea. No TC6, houve correlação positiva no GA da distância percorrida (DP) com o tempo de atividade intensa e da FC com o IMC e, no GS, da DP com a FC e com a frequência respiratória (FR). No TD6, houve correlação positiva no GA da ventilação voluntária máxima (VVM) com a FR; do tempo de atividade moderada com o TD6-T; além de correlação negativa do TD6-T com o IMC e da dispneia com o tempo de caminhada; no GS, correlações positivas da VVM com a FR e da fadiga de MMII com IMC (p≤0,05). Conclusão: O TD6 demonstrou diferença na capacidade para o exercício entre asmáticos e saudáveis. Além disso, o desempenho físico e as respostas obtidas nos testes correlacionaram-se com os valores de VVM, IMC e nível de atividade física. Resumo