Reliability and validity of heart rate variability threshold assessment during an incremental shuttle-walk test in middle-aged and older adults

Abstract

Studies on the assessment of heart rate variability threshold (HRVT) during walking are scarce. We determined the reliability and validity of HRVT assessment during the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) in healthy subjects. Thirty-one participants aged 57 ± 9 years (17 females) performed 3 ISWTs. During the 1st and 2nd ISWTs, instantaneous heart rate variability was calculated every 30 s and HRVT was measured. Walking velocity at HRVT in these tests (WV-HRVT1 and WV-HRVT2) was registered. During the 3rd ISWT, physiological responses were assessed. The ventilatory equivalents were used to determine ventilatory threshold (VT) and the WV at VT (WV-VT) was recorded. The difference between WV-HRVT1 and WV-HRVT2 was not statistically significant (median and interquartile range = 4.8; 4.8 to 5.4 vs 4.8; 4.2 to 5.4 km/h); the correlation between WV-HRVT1 and WV-HRVT2 was significant (r = 0.84); the intraclass correlation coefficient was high (0.92; 0.82 to 0.96), and the agreement was acceptable (-0.08 km/h; -0.92 to 0.87). The difference between WV-VT and WV-HRVT2 was not statistically significant (4.8; 4.8 to 5.4 vs 4.8; 4.2 to 5.4 km/h) and the agreement was acceptable (0.04 km/h; -1.28 to 1.36). HRVT assessment during walking is a reliable measure and permits the estimation of VT in adults. We suggest the use of the ISWT for the assessment of exercise capacity in middle-aged and older adults.

Shuttle walking test in obese women: test‐retest reliability and concurrent validity with peak oxygen uptake

“…In the present study, peak VO 2 was selected as the main variable to compare agreement between tests, an approach which is consistent with other studies (Luxton et al, 2008;Struthers et al, 2008;Dourado & Guerra, 2013). The peak VO 2 obtained during CPX is an important measurement in assessing patients with impaired cardiorespiratory fitness.…”

Reliability of heart rate variability threshold and parasympathetic reactivation after a submaximal exercise test

“…Although the reliability of the measure has been tested in previous studies, it needs to be tested in different protocols and populations for more comprehensive understanding and for practical applications 23,29 . Absolute reliability represents the degree to which repeated measurements vary for individuals 28 .…”

Cardiorespiratory Responses and Prediction of Peak Oxygen Uptake during the Shuttle Walking Test in Healthy Sedentary Adult Men

“…Due to its recent application in healthy participants, the determination of intensity of the SWT remains controversial in this population. Dourado and Guerra [ 12 ] and Jurgensen et al [ 11 ] applied the SWT to healthy participants of both sexes, with mean ages of 57 and 58 years old respectively, and they reported values of predicted HR max at the end of the test, which might indicate the SWT to be a submaximal test. Different results of other studies in which participants of both sexes, with similar ages, have also been observed and the studies showed values of predicted HR max ranging from 94% [ 13 ] to 99% [ 17 ], thus indicating that the SWT could be featured as the maximum test.…”