Association of Step Count with Cardiorespiratory Fitness: Results from the Virtual 2-Minute Step Test
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Objective To test the hypothesis that step count based on a virtual 2-minute step test (2MST) predicts cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Veteran Affairs Medical Centers participating in a randomized trial of functional exercise training delivered by videoconferencing. Participants People with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PWH) who were aged ≥50 years and clinically stable on antiretroviral therapy were eligible for the trial. Consecutive male participants who were enrolled prior to November 9, 2023 and completed a baseline 2MST and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) were included in the cross-sectional study (N=74). Intervention None. Main Outcome Measures Step count was measured by a 2MST performed by live videoconferencing using the Rikli and Jones protocol. CRF was measured by peak oxygen utilization (VO 2 peak) during a modified Bruce cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Results Most participants (62.2%) were ≥60 years of age. The mean (SD) VO 2 peak was 23.6 (5.7) mL/kg/min, which represented 72.4% (SD, 14.1) of expected VO 2 peak. Step count correlated with VO 2 peak ( r =0.47, P <.001). Multivariable linear regression showed that step count was significantly associated with VO 2 peak independently of age and body mass index. Based on this model, the prediction of VO 2 peak based on step count explained 60% of the variance in VO 2 peak. A Bland-Altman plot showed good agreement between predicated and measured VO 2 peak without heteroscedasticity. Conclusions The virtual 2MST predicted VO 2 peak independently of age and body mass index in men with well-controlled HIV. In ambulatory populations with known impaired cardiorespiratory fitness, the virtual 2MST may be a feasible and valid estimate of VO 2 peak that can be used in the telerehabilitation setting. Future work is required in more demographically diverse individuals with various chronic conditions.
Institutions: Salem VA Medical Center, Carilion Clinic, Virginia Tech, Concordia University Chicago, Emory University, Atlanta VA Health Care System, Atlanta VA Medical Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Veterans Health Administration, Baltimore VA Medical Center, VA Maryland Health Care System
Language: English
Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,500
Funders: Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Emory University, National Institutes of Health, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, Center for AIDS Research, University of Washington, Center for AIDS Research, Emory University, National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
OpenAlex ID: W4405196798