Correlation between the distance traveled on walking tests and the level of physical activity in asymptomatic middle-aged and older adults

Abstract

Introduction: The incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) may be better correlated with the level of physical activity in daily life (NAFVD) compared to the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Objective: To evaluate the correlations between the NAFVD and the distances covered in the 6MWT and ISWT. Methods: We selected 29 asymptomatic middle-aged and older adults for convenience. Height and weight were collected to calculate BMI. All were submitted to walking tests twice in alternate days. We measured blood pressure, heart rate, dyspnea, and leg fatigue before and at the end of the tests. NAFVD was evaluated using an accelerometer with a pedometer and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Results: After multiple regression analysis, only the ISWT distance was determinant for the number of daily steps obtained by the accelerometry, explaining 26% of the total variability of this variable. Conclusion: The ISWT proved valid to estimate NAFVD more adequately when compared to the 6MWT.