Association between Modified Shuttle Walk Test and cardiorespiratory fitness in overweight/obese adults with primary hypertension: EXERDIET-HTA study

Abstract

The aims of the study were to evaluate the relationship between Modified Shuttle Walk Test (MSWT) with peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2peak) in overweight/obese people with primary hypertension (HTN) and to develop an equation for the MSWT to predict V˙O2peak. Participants (N = 256, 53.9 ± 8.1 years old) with HTN and overweight/obesity performed a cardiorespiratory exercise test to peak exertion on an upright bicycle ergometer using an incremental ramp protocol and the 15-level MSWT. The formula of Singh et al was used as a template to predict V˙O2peak, and a new equation was generated from the measured V˙O2peak-MSWT relationship in this investigation.The correlation between measured and predicted V˙O2peak for Singh et al equation was moderate (r = 0.60, P < .001) with a standard error of the estimate (SEE) of 4.92 mL·kg−1 minute−1, SEE% = 21%. The correlation between MSWT and measured V˙O2peak as well as for the new equation was strong (r = 0.72, P < .001) with a SEE of 4.35 mL·kg−1 minute−1, SEE% = 19%. These results indicate that MSWT does not accurately predict functional capacity in overweight/obese people with HTN and questions the validity of using this test to evaluate exercise intolerance. A more accurate determination from a new equation in the current study incorporating more variables from MSWT to estimate V˙O2peak has been performed but still results in substantial error.