Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic symmetric polyarthritis of large and small joints and by morning stiffness that may lead to musculoskeletal impairment, with functional impotence. The concept of functionality relates to the ability of an individual to perform effectively and independently daily activities and tasks of everyday life. The aim of this review is to familiarize the rheumatologist with the concept of functional capacity evaluation and with the tests that can be applied in this population, as these are important steps for a proper exercise prescription. From functional tests already used in the elderly population, the Physical Fitness and Rheumatology Laboratory - LAR - Brasilia, which is accompanying patients from Brasilia Cohort of Early Rheumatoid Arthritis, describes in this article a protocol of tests to assess functional capacity for application in patients with RA, including the description of tests: 1) Sit and Reach; 2) Agility/Dynamic Balance; 3) Manual Dynamometry; 4) Sit Back and Lift; 5) Biceps Curl and 6) Six-minute Walk Test.

RBRE-80; No. of Pages 8 r e v b r a s r e u m a t o l . 2 0 1 4;x x x(x x):xxx-xxx REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE REUMATOLOGIA w w w . r e u m a t o l o g i a . c o m . b r Available online xxx Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis Funcionality Physical exercise a b s t r a c t Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic symmetric polyarthritis of large and small joints and by morning stiffness that may lead to musculoskeletal impairment, with functional impotence. The concept of functionality relates to the ability of an individual to perform effectively and independently daily activities and tasks of everyday life. The aim of this review is to familiarize the rheumatologist with the concept of functional capacity evaluation and with the tests that can be applied in this population, as these are important steps for a proper exercise prescription. From functional tests already used in the elderly population, the Physical Fitness and Rheumatology Laboratory -LARBrasilia, which is accompanying patients from Brasilia Cohort of Early Rheumatoid Arthritis, describes in this article a protocol of tests to assess functional capacity for application in patients with RA, including the description of tests: 1) Sit and Reach; 2) Agility/Dynamic Balance; 3) Manual Dynamometry; 4) Sit Back and Lift; 5) Biceps Curl and 6) Six-minute Walk Test. Avaliação da capacidade funcional em pacientes com artrite reumatoide: implicações para a recomendação de exercícios físicos Palavras-chave: Artrite reumatoide Funcionalidade Exercício físico r e s u m o A artrite reumatoide (AR) é uma doença autoimune que se caracteriza por poliartrite crônica simétrica, de grandes e pequenas articulaç ões, e rigidez matinal que pode levar a comprometimento musculoesquelético, com impotência funcional. O conceito da funcionalidade diz respeito à capacidade de o indivíduo realizar atividades e tarefas da vida diária e cotidiana, de forma eficaz e independente. O objetivo desta revisão é familiarizar o reumatologista com DOI of original article: http://dx.RBRE-80; No. of Pages 8 2 r e v b r a s r e u m a t o l . 2 0 1 4;x x x(x x):xxx-xxxo conceito de avaliação da capacidade funcional e os testes que podem ser aplicados nessa população, pois são passos importantes para uma prescrição adequada de exercícios físi-cos, A partir de testes funcionais já utilizados em população idosa, o Laboratório de Aptidão Física e Reumatologia -LAR -Brasília, que acompanha os pacientes da Coorte Brasília de Artrite Reumatoide Inicial, descreve neste artigo um protocolo de testes para avaliação da capacidade funcional para aplicação nos pacientes com diagnóstico de AR, incluindo a descrição dos seguintes testes: 1) Sentar e Alcanç ar; 2) Agilidade/Equilíbrio Dinâmico; 3) Dinamometria Manual; 4) Sentar e Levantar; 5) Rosca Bíceps e 6) Teste da Caminhada de Seis Minutos.