Reference equations of oxygen uptake for the step test in the obese population

Abstract

The aim of this study was to establish reference equations for the six-minute step test (6MST) based on demographic, anthropometric, body composition, and performance variables able to predict oxygen uptake (V̇O 2 ) in obese individuals. Seventy-three obese adults (42±14 years old, body mass index >30 kg/m 2 ) from both sexes were included. They underwent anamnesis, body composition evaluation, and the 6MST with expired gases registered simultaneously. Three equations were developed for the obese population (n=73; 59% female). The first equation was composed of the up-and-down step cycles (UDS), sex, and age as predictors; the second equation was composed of the UDS, age, and lean mass (LM). Both equations collectively explained 68.1% of the V̇O 2 variance in the 6MST, while the third equation, composed of the UDS, age, and body mass, accounted for 67.7% of the V̇O 2 variance. UDS, sex, age, LM, and body mass were important V̇O 2 predictors of 6MST in these obese individuals. This study contributes to the dissemination of a simple, inexpensive, and fast evaluation method that can provide important indicators of cardiorespiratory fitness and guide strategies for rehabilitation.

Procedures and measurement properties of the 6-min step test: A systematic review with clinical recommendations

“…Two studies (14%) 41,42 did not use a 20-cm step and 9 studies (64%) either did not allow upper limb support (five studies; 36%), 22,36,39,42,45,49 or did not provide information related to upper limb support (four studies; 28%). 27,41,43,44 When upper limb support was allowed, the participants used a wall or parallel bars to keep balance (Table 1).…”

“…Seventeen papers failed to meet the inclusion criteria (see Supplemental Material for a summary of the excluded papers), leaving 15 papers to be included. 22,27,[36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48] Two papers 22,36 had the same sample and were, therefore, reported as a single study (Figure 3). Therefore, 14 studies were analyzed in this systematic review.…”

“…The mean age of the participants ranged from 35 to 68 years old across studies. Five studies included participants with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 22,36,[37][38][39][40] three studies included participants with obesity, [41][42][43] two studies included participants with obstructive sleep apnea, 44,45 and the remaining four studies included participants with pulmonary resection, 46 stroke, 47 heart failure, 27 and cardiac diseases 48 (Table 1).…”

Six Minute Step Test Vs. Six Minute Walk Test to Measure VO2 Peak in Obese Class 1 Adults: An Observational Study

“…It leads to several adverse cardiac, pulmonary, and metabolic effects. In addition to the mechanical disadvantage of excessive body fat, obese individuals have an appreciable functional limitation of performance, affecting daily living activities (4) . In this context, several authors have studied the deleterious effects of obesity on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) focusing on physical rehabilitation as one of the strategies for treatment.…”