Within-day repeatability of the endurance shuttle walk test

ObjectiveTo determine the need for a practice walk for the endurance shuttle walk test (ESWT) following the performance of two incremental shuttle walk tests (ISWTs) – one practice and one test – on the same day.DesignRetrospective data analysis of shuttle walk test measurements. All participants had performed two ISWTs and two ESWTs at a single visit, prior to commencing pulmonary rehabilitation.SettingOutpatient physiotherapy department of a university hospital.ParticipantsForty-four patients (33 males, 11 females) with a primary diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, referred for routine pulmonary rehabilitation.MeasurementsShuttle walk test distance and time, Borg breathlessness score, heart rate and pulsed oxygen saturation.ResultsThe mean age of the group was 67.6 years [standard deviation (SD) 9.0] and mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second was 37% predicted (SD 13). The mean times walked during ESWTs 1 and 2 were 195 and 207 seconds (SD 115 and 138), respectively. Using the analysis recommended by Bland and Altman, the mean of the individual differences (d) between Tests 1 and 2 was 12 seconds, with limits of agreement from −88 to +112 seconds.ConclusionA practice endurance shuttle walk is unnecessary following performance of ISWTs on the same day.