Incremental shuttle walk test can have maximum response characteristics for the assessment of exercise capacity in hypertensive women elderly in primary care
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background Field exercise tests are a feasible alternative to the symptom-limited exercise test for measuring exercise capacity in patients attending training exercises in primary care. The Incremental Shuttle Walking Test (ISWT) is an externally paced, incremental field exercise test that requires little equipment and involves a more familiar type of exercise (walking), which has been used to assess the exercise capacity in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Purpose To assess whether ISWT can have maximal response characteristics for the assessment of exercise capacity in hypertensive women elderly in primary care. Methods Cross-sectional study was conducted with 30 women (69.5 ±7.3 years) who performed the ISWT on a flat, 10-meter track, with an initial speed of 0.5 m/s, increasing 0.17 m/s every minute, 15 stages were adopted with the intention of avoiding the ceiling effect. The ISWT was finished when the participant was not able to maintain the required speed (more than 0.5m from the cone), when requested by the participant, or for some other reported symptoms of exertion intolerance (dyspnea, leg fatigue, dizziness, vertigo). The maximal effort attainment was assessment by heart rate (HR), perception of exertion (Borg Scale). Perception of exertion, blood pressure (BP) and HR were monitored at rest and during ISWT using a Borg Rating Exertion Scale (range 0-10), an oscillometric technique (Omrom HBP1110), and a heart rate sensor (Polar H10) respectively. For the analysis of the results, HR and perception of exertion was recorded immediately after the test. Predicted maximum HR (HRmax) was calculated by the Tanaka equation (208 – 0.7 x age), for the calculation of the HRmax (%). The 85% HRmax parameter was used as a reference to ensure maximum effort during the test. Results The ISWT was within normal limits, no participant interrupted the test due to showing any symptoms and no adverse effects were reported at the end. Most individuals (62%) reached 85% of the predicted HRmax and level 8 at the end of the test. The average distance covered in the ISWT was 545.08 (±183.24) meters, exceeding 25% of the predicted distance (table 1). Conclusion The ISWT is a valid, reliable and safe walking test that imposes maximal effort in hypertensive elderly people. It is an alternative to prescribe exercises in primary care.Table 1.Performance and maximal effort
Authors: L L N Nascimento, Y F Carvalho, B V O Santos
Language: English
Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4410483008