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

• Published in: Brazilian journal of medical and biological research Vol. 55; no. 1; p. e11864
• Main Authors: Fagundes, C F, Thommazo-Luporini, L Di, Goulart, C L, Braatz, D, Ditomaso, A, Borghi-Silva, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Associacao Brasileira de Divulgacao Cientifica (ABDC) 01-01-2022; Revista Brasileira de Pesquisas Medicas; Associação Brasileira de Divulgação Científica
• Subjects: Adult; Age; BIOLOGY; Body composition; Body mass index; Cardiorespiratory Fitness; Care and treatment; Diagnosis; Evaluation; Exercise test; Exercise Test - methods; Exercise tests; Female; Health aspects; Humans; Male; Measurement; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; MEDICINE, RESEARCH & EXPERIMENTAL; Methods; Middle Aged; Obesity; Oxygen; Oxygen Consumption; Oxygen uptake; Physical fitness; Physical growth; Physiological aspects; Reference values (Medicine); Rehabilitation; Step test; Brazil; Obesity; Cardiorespiratory fitness; Step test; Oxygen uptake; Exercise test
• ISSN: 0100-879X; 1414-431X; 1414-431X; 1678-4510
• DOI: 10.1590/1414-431X2022e11864

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 (V̇O2) in obese individuals. Seventy-three obese adults (42±14 years old, body mass index >30 kg/m2) 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 V̇O2 variance in the 6MST, while the third equation, composed of the UDS, age, and body mass, accounted for 67.7% of the V̇O2 variance. UDS, sex, age, LM, and body mass were important V̇O2 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.