The two-minute step test as a potential alternative to the six-minute step test for evaluating functional capacity: a cross-sectional study
O teste do degrau de dois minutos como alternativa ao teste do degrau de seis minutos para avaliação da capacidade funcional: um estudo transversal
Victor Regufe, Larissa Costa Tavares, Luana Soares de Oliveira, Pedro Antonio Racca, Thamyres Vitória Gomes, Alessandra Choqueta de Toledo Arruda, Michel Silva Reis
Abstract
Background: Step tests are widely used to assess functional capacity in various clinical settings. However, the 6-minute step test (6MST) duration may limit its applicability in less conditioned individuals. Aim: To verify whether the 6-minute (6MST) and 2-minute (2MST) step tests are equivalent regarding peak heart rate (HR) and peak oxygen consumption (V̇O2) in healthy individuals. Methods: This is an experimental, cross-sectional, and prospective study. Twenty-one healthy volunteers of both sexes, with a mean age of 24.00±5.50 years, mostly eutrophic and highly active (57.14%), attended three visits. In the first visit, questionnaires were applied, assessments performed, and demographic and anthropometric data collected, along with familiarization with the step test. On the second and third visits, the 6MST and 2MST were performed in a randomized order. HR and V̇O2 were monitored throughout the tests. Results: Significant differences were found between 6MST and 2MST in performance, cadence, and power. However, strong correlations were observed for performance (r=0.81) and cadence (r=0.81), and a very strong correlation for power (r=0.90). Performance agreement was 76.19%. Weak (r=0.47) and very weak (r=0.37) correlations were found between V̇O2 peak and HR peak in the 6MST and 2MST, respectively. No significant differences were found for peak V̇O2 or subjective perception of effort. Regarding peak HR, both tests achieved values above 84% of the age-predicted maximum, comparable to those typically observed in maximal exercise tests. Conclusion: Participants showed similar physiological responses in some parameters, including performance, cadence, power, V̇O2 peak and HR peak, suggesting some similarity between the 6MST and 2MST in healthy individuals, although the physiological results were somewhat inconsistent.
Keywords
Resumo
Introdução: O teste de degrau é amplamente utilizado para a avaliação da capacidade funcional em diferentes contextos clínicos. Contudo, o tempo de execução de 6 minutos pode ser um fator limitante para a execução em indivíduos menos condicionados. Objetivo: Verificar se há equivalência entre os testes de degrau de 6 e 2 minutos (6MST e 2MST) em relação à frequência cardíaca (HR) pico e ao consumo de oxigênio (V̇O2) pico em indivíduos saudáveis. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo experimental, transversal e prospectivo. Vinte e um voluntários saudáveis, de ambos os sexos, com idade média de 24,00±5,50 anos, majoritariamente eutróficos e muito ativos (57,14%), foram submetidos a três visitas. Na primeira visita, foram aplicados questionários, realizadas avaliações, coletados dados demográficos e antropométricos, além da familiarização com o teste de degrau. Na segunda e terceira visitas, os testes 6MST e 2MST foram realizados de forma randomizada. A HR e o V̇O2 foram monitorados ao longo dos testes. Resultados: Houve diferenças significativas entre o -6MST e o 2MST no desempenho, cadência e potência. No entanto, observou-se forte correlação no desempenho (r=0,81) e na cadência (r=0,81), além de correlação muito forte na potência (r=0,90). A concordância no desempenho foi de 76,19%. Foram encontradas correlações fraca (r=0,47) e muito fraca (r=0,37) entre o V̇O2 pico e a HR pico no 6MST e 2MST, respectivamente. Não houve diferenças significativas no V̇O2 pico ou na percepção subjetiva de esforço. Quanto à HR pico, apesar de diferença estatística, em ambos os testes ela foi acima de 84% do previsto para idade, se assemelhando à encontrada em testes de caráter máximo. Conclusão: Os participantes apresentaram respostas fisiológicas semelhantes em alguns parâmetros, considerando desempenho, cadência, potência, V̇O2 pico e HR pico, sugerindo alguma similaridade entre o 6MST e o 2MST em indivíduos saudáveis, embora os resultados fisiológicos apresentem achados controversos.
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Referências
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Submetido em:
30/03/2025
Aceito em:
09/12/2025
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