Effect of number of college baseball pitching on movement, performance, physical strength, physiological, and psychological functions of pitchers / 体力科学

This study aimed to examine the effects of college baseball pitching on movement, performance, physical strength, and physiological and psychological functions of pitchers. The participants were 10 right-handed male pitchers from the University baseball team. The number of pitches were 15 per inning and 135 per nine innings. Ball speed and accuracy were measured for each pitching. The grip strength, back muscle strength, and standing long jump were measured before and after all pitches. Blood lactate levels were measured before pitching, at the end of the 5th and 7th innings, and at 3rd, 6th, and 9th minutes after pitching. The participant’s heart rate and subjective exercise intensity were measured at the beginning and end of each inning using the Borg scale measurement. Five high-speed cameras were used to capture the pitching motions. The displacement of the center of gravity, lower and upper limb joint angles, and the speed of each segment were calculated. The baseball speed and accuracy did not change with the increased number of pitches. However, the grip strength decreased. Although blood lactate and heart rate were not altered, subjective exercise intensity was increased. The lower limb kinematics remained unchanged; however, elbow height was reduced in the upper limb. These results suggest that highly competitive pitchers experience subjective fatigue with the increased number of pitches, however, they maintain pitch performance, speed, and accuracy without altering whole-body physiology and lower-body function and form.

Effectiveness of a Conditioning Program on Amateur Female Marathon Runners.

There is a sudden rise in the participation of middle-aged women in marathons across India without proper knowledge about how to prepare for these marathons. This leads to rise in injuries in them like low back pain, knee pain, stress fractures, urinary incontinence etc., some of which can easily be avoided. There is a need to find out a suitable conditioning program for these participants that will target problems affecting this age group and gender specifically. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of conditioning program on post run physical functioning in female amateur marathon runners. Pain Assessment, DOMS, Modified Borg Scale were used for assessing the individuals. METHODSIn this comparative study, 52 amateur female marathon runners, were randomly allocated into two groups with 26 runners in each group. We evaluated pain and exertion using pain assessment and Borg Scale. Occurrence of incontinence was assessed by asking a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ question. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) was assessed using pain pressure threshold (PPT) 24 hrs. post run. RESULTSThere was a significant effect of the conditioning program on these female runners compared to administration of no conditioning at all. There was a reduction of pain in all the components of the pain scale (p= <0.001). Exertion of the trained runners was also less (p= <0.001) as well as in the occurrence of incontinence (p= <0.0430). PPT was also substantially increased in them (p= <0.001). CONCLUSIONSThe conditioning program administered to amateur female marathon runners was effective in reducing their risk of injuries and problems related to women’s health that occur while running a marathon.

Effort Assessment of Stroke Patients in Physiotherapy Session by Accelerometry and Perceived Exertion Score: Preliminary Study

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether post-stroke patient’s perceived exertion correlates with effort intensity score as measured by a wearable sensor and to assess whether estimates of perceived exertion are correlated to the cerebral hemisphere involved in the stroke. METHODS: We evaluated the effort intensity score during physiotherapy sessions using a wearable sensor and subjects assessed their perceived exertion using the modified Borg CR10 Scale. RESULTS: Fifty-seven subacute stroke patients participated in the study. The correlation between perceived exertion rating and measured effort intensity was insignificant—mean (r=−0.04, p=0.78) and peak (r=−0.05, p=0.70). However, there was a significant difference (p<0.02) in the perceived exertion ratings depending on the cerebral hemisphere where the stroke occurred. Patients with left-hand side lesions rated their perceived exertion as 4.5 (min–max, 0.5–8), whereas patients with right-hand side lesions rated their perceived exertion as 5.0 (2–8). CONCLUSION: While there was an insignificant correlation between perceived exertion and effort intensity measured by a wearable sensor, a consistent variations in perceived exertion estimates according to the side of the cerebral lesion was identified and established.

Effect of anulom vilom pranayama as an adjuvant treatment modality to improve the level of dyspnea in chronic asthma patients

Background: Dyspnea is the main symptom suffered by bronchial asthma patients who are even under medical treatment. This study was aimed to evaluate the use of alternate nostril breathing as an adjuvant treatment modality to improve the level of dyspnea in patients with bronchial asthma.Methods: Patients who were diagnosed to have bronchial asthma for more than 6 months with the modified Borg dyspnea score of more than 3 and forced expiratory volume (FEV1) for one second less than 80% included in the study. Anulom Vilom Pranayama was instructed to practice daily for 10 minutes for 4 weeks. The level of dyspnea in pre and post test was conducted using modified Borg dyspnea scale after doing six minute walk. Spirometer was used to assess the FEV1. The data was analysed statistically.Results: Twenty patients were included in the study. Majority belonged to the age group of 20-29 with female dominance and no history of smoking. There was a significant (p = 0.0001) reduction in dyspnea after practicing Anulom Vilom Pranayama for one month. The median of Borg dyspnea scale in the pre-test was 4.5 and that of post-test was 3.5. The mean FEV1 score in the pre-test was 57.20 and that of post-test was 68.75 which was found to be statistically significant (p=0.0001).Conclusions: One-month anulom vilom pranayama daily for 10 minutes improved the Borg dyspnea scale and FEV1 score. This indicates it as an effective intervention in reducing the level of dyspnea in chronic bronchial asthma patients

Comparison on the profiles of a modified Borg scale and the pediatric dyspnea scale during an induced bronchoconstriction in children with clinical asthma

PURPOSE: Dyspnea is the cardinal symptom of asthma, but it is difficult to quantify clinically. Although modified Borg (mBorg) scale has been successfully used in adult, but there has been some difficulties to apply in children. Recently, Pediatric Dyspnea Scale (PDS) was adequately designed and has been widely used. The aim of this study is to compare 2 evaluating scales of dyspnea provoked by induced-bronchoconstriction in childhood asthma. METHODS: Seventy-three clinically suspected children with asthma were enrolled in this study. Each ‘fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO)’ was documented. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁), mBorg score and PDS score were recorded during methacholine provocation test. RESULTS: Mapping using canonical plot demonstrated global similarity between 2 scales with some distinctive features. Whereas mBorg score showed more diverse categories in low level of dyspnea, PDS score did in medium level of it. A distribution of dyspnea perception score at a 20% decrease in FEV₁ relative to baseline (PS₂₀), a perception score of dyspnea at 20% fall in FEV1 of 2 scales represented similar wide, biphasic feature. Statistical relevance was verified with spearman correlation (R(s)=0.903, P<0.001) and Bland-Altman analysis. PS₂₀ of both scores and FeNO had no statistical relationship. While relationship between PS20 by mBorg score and the concentration of methacholine at 20% fall in FEV₁ (PC₂₀) was not significant (R(s)=0.224, P=0.154), that between PS₂₀ by PDS and PC₂₀ was weak positive (R(s)=0.29, P=0.063). CONCLUSION: PDS had similar pattern to assess the dyspnea with the mBorg scale suggesting adequacy of PDS in evaluating pediatric clinical asthma. We expect these scales to help clinical practice in complementary ways.

Aplicación del índice de fatiga de Borg en pacientes con enfermedades pulmonar obstructiva crónica / Application of Borga’s fatigue index in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Introducción: se reconoce que las enfermedades pulmonar obstructiva crónicaes una enfermedad multidimensional con afectación de diversos órganos, cuando estos fallan producen hipoxia y fatiga. Un indicador subjetivo para detectar fatiga es el Índice de fatiga de Borg. Objetivo: identificar el comportamiento del índice de fatiga de Borg. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, prospectivo, de investigación correlacional, en un grupo de pacientes con diagnóstico confirmado de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva, a los cuales se les realizó la Prueba de marcha de los 6 min, incluyendo el Índice de fatiga de Borg antes y después de la caminata de dicha prueba. Resultados: la media del indice de fatiga de Borg basal fue de 0,94 y al final de 1,75, con una diferencia entre ambas de 0,81. La correlación entre el índice final y la saturación de oxigeno fue 0 (p=0,989) y entre el Índice de fatiga de Borg final y la distancia recorrida fue de -0,36; (p=0,002). Conclusiones: la media del indice de fatiga de Borg final fue superior a la basal, con una diferencia significativa entre ambas medias. La correlación entre el Índice de fatiga de Borg final y la saturación de oxigeno fue nula. La distancia recorrida y el Índice de fatiga de Borg final tuvieron una relación inversamente proporcional.

Background: it is recognized that COPD is a multidimensional disease affecting several organs; when they fail, they cause hypoxia and fatigue. A subjective indicator for detecting fatigue is Borga’s fatigue index. Aim: Identify the behaviour of the index of fatigue of Borg. Materials and Methods: a prospective, observational study, of correlational research was carried out in a group of patients with confirmed diagnostic of obstructive pulmonary disease, to whom the PM6M was applied, including the Borga’s fatigue index before and after the walk of that trial. Outcomes: the average of the basal Borga’s fatigue index was 0.94 and of 1.75 at the end, with a difference between them of 0.81. The correlation between the final index and oxygen saturation was 0 (p=0,989), and between the final Borga’s fatigue index and the walked distance was -0,36 (p=0,002). Conclusions: the average of the final Borga’s fatigue index was higher than the basal one, with a significant difference between both media. The correlation between the final Borga’s fatigue index and the oxygen saturation was null. The walked distance and the final Borga’s fatigue index showed a proportionally inverse correlation.

Effects of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Exercise Tolerance in Patients with COPD.

Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is known to be therapeutically useful for COPD patients. Objective: To evaluate the effects of combination of breathing exercises (pursed lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing) and lower extremity endurance training (LEET) as part of PR program on six minute walk distance (6MWD), on oxygen saturation (SpO2%), on the level of dyspnea and fatigue in patients with moderate stable COPD. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, BSMMU, Dhaka from July 2010 to June 2011 on 116 male stable moderate COPD patients aged 50 to 65 years. They were enrolled from the out patient department (OPD) of the Department of Medicine of BSMMU and NIDCH Dhaka. 56 patients without PR constituted control group and experimental group included 60 patients intervened with PR. The experimental patients were advised to perform the PR program for 30 minutes duration per session at home twice daily, for consecutive 60 days along with the standard drug treatment of COPD. The control patients were advised to continue their standard drug treatment alone for consecutive 60 days. For the assessment of exercise tolerance, 6MWD, SpO2%, the level of dyspnea and fatigue of all subjects were recorded on day 0 and day 60 for both the groups. SpO2% was recorded by portable Pulse Oximeter and the level of dyspnea as well as fatigue were recorded by Modified Borg Scale. Statistical analysis was done by independent sample ‘t’ test and paired sample ‘t’ test. Results: Significant improvement were observed in 6MWD, SpO2%, the level of dyspnea and fatigue in patients who performed PR program. In addition, significant improvement in these parameters were observed after completing PR program compared to the beginning of the intervention. Conclusion: The study concludes that regular exercise of all components of PR program significantly improve exercise tolerance in COPD patients.

Assessment of a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Based on the Borg RPE Scale by Six-minute Walk Test: A Pilot Study.

Aims: The ability of cardiac rehabilitation to reduce mortality in those with cardiovascular disease is well established. Despite its widespread use in the clinical setting, the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale is yet to be validated for its ability to lead to improvements in functional capacity. Study Design: A closed cohort pilot study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Physiotherapy, Albury Base Hospital and School of Community Health, between November 2008 and November 2009. Methodology: Fifteen participants were assessed prior to and following completion of a cardiac rehabilitation program. Exercise was prescribed according to the Borg RPE scale. Pre and post Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) scores were obtained to determine the impact of the cardiac rehabilitation program. Results: Fifteen cardiac rehabilitation participants completed all requirements of the study after an initial enrolment of 22 patients. Wilcoxon signed-ranks test showed statistically significant improvements in 6MWT scores following participation in the cardiac rehabilitation program (p=.033) from a median value of 412 metres to 475 metres. Conclusion: In this pilot study, cardiac rehabilitation programs based on the Borg RPE scale may improvefunctional capacity measured by 6MWT during a 6-week period.

Percepção da dor na Implantodontia: análise comparativa entre as técnicas cirúrgicas tradicional e guiada: estudo clínico duplo-cego split-mouth / Pain perception on Implantology: comparative analysis between traditional and guided surgical techniques: a double-blind, split-mouth clinical trial

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a percepção da dor de pacientes durante e após submeterem-se a cirurgia convencional e guiada na Implantodontia; 80 pacientes (35 homens, 40 mulheres – idades entre 20 e 70 anos) com necessidade bilateral de implantes na maxila ou na mandíbula foram selecionados dentro de critérios predeterminados. As cirurgias foram todas realizadas no período da manhã, pelo mesmo operador. Os questionários de dor de McGill e CD-10 Borg foram usados nas avaliações, 20 minutos e uma semana após a cirurgia por outro profissional não presente na cirurgia. As próteses definitivas foram instaladas após dois meses. Exames tomográficos de feixe cônico também foram solicitados para avaliação da posição final dos implantes. Os resultados mostraram que os melhores escores foram obtidos para a cirurgia guiada utilizando-se ambos os questionários para os dois períodos de avaliação. Entretanto, os pontos negativos dessa técnica (cirurgia guiada) precisam ser levados em consideração.

The aim of this study was to evaluate pain perception after and at early postoperative period (one week) for patients underwent to conventional and guided surgical procedures for implant placement. Eighty patients (35 men, 40 women, ages between 20 and 70 years-old) with bilateral indication for maxillary or mandibular implants were selected according to pre-determined criteria. All surgeries were performed on morning by the same operator. The McGill´s and Borg pain Questionnaires were applied 20 minutes and one week after surgeries by another professional not involved on surgical procedures. The definitive prostheses were installed two months later. CBCT scans were made to evaluate final implant positioning. The results revealed that the best scores were provided with guided surgery for both Questionnaires and in both evaluation periods. However, clinicians must consider negative issues regarding guided surgery procedures.

Comparação do índice de esforço percebido e consumo de oxigênio em exercício em cicloergômetro entre gestantes e não-gestantes e entre o exercício aquático e terrestre / Comparison of the rating of perceived exertion and oxygen uptake during exercise between pregnant and non-pregnant women and between water and land-based exercises

O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar o índice de esforço percebido (IEP) e o consumo de oxigênio (VO2) durante o exercício aquático e terrestre, na intensidade do primeiro limiar ventilatório entre gestantes e não-gestantes. Sete gestantes (idade gestacional entre 27ª e 30ª semanas) e sete não-gestantes realizaram dois testes contínuos em cicloergômetro (água e terra) na intensidade do primeiro limiar ventilatório. Durante os testes, os gases respiratórios foram coletados com um analisador de gases portátil KB1-C da marca Aerosport. A frequência cardíaca (FC) foi obtida através de um Polar modelo F1. Os dados foram coletados a cada 20s. O IEP era indicado ao término do exercício através da escala RPE de Borg (6-20). Utilizou-se ANOVA para medidas repetidas de 1 FATOR, com post hoc de Bonferroni (p < 0,05). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas para o VO2 e para o IEP comparando os exercícios aquático e terrestre. Além disso, não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre gestantes e não-gestantes. Concluímos que o IEP pode ser usado para prescrição do exercício aquático e terrestre e para gestantes e não-gestantes, quando este for realizado na intensidade do primeiro limiar ventilatório e em cicloergômetro.

The purpose of the present study was to assess the differences in ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and oxygen uptake (VO2) behavior during water and land-based exercise, performed in the exercise intensity of the first ventilatory threshold between pregnant and non-pregnant women. Seven pregnant (gestational ages between the 27th and 30th week) and seven non-pregnant women performed two continuous cycle ergometer tests (water and land-based) at the first ventilatory threshold intensity. During all sessions, respiratory gases were collected with a portable AEROSPORT KB1-C mixing box gas analyzer. A pneumotach was used with a neoprene mask. Heart rate (HR) measurements were obtained with a POLAR F1. Data were collected every 20s. RPE on Borg scale from 6 to 20 was derived at the end of the exercise. One-way ANOVA was applied for repeated measures using the post-hoc Bonferroni test (p<0.05). No significant differences were found in VO2 or RPE when comparing water with land-based exercise. In the same way, no significant difference was found between pregnant and non-pregnant subjects. We suggest that RPE can be used for water and land-based exercise prescription on cycle ergometer at the intensity of first ventilatory threshold, for both pregnant and non-pregnant women.

A escala de Borg como ferramenta de auto-monitorização e auto-adaptação do esforço em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca na hidroterapia e no solo: estudo randomizado, cego e controlado / The Borg scale as a tool for self-monitoring and self-regulation of the exercise effort in patients with heart failure in hydrotherapy and land: a randomized, blinded, controlled trial

INTRODUÇÃO: A escala de Borg é a padronização da percepção subjetiva de esforço mais difundida e seu uso já foi proposto para garantir um esforço submáximo em portadores da síndrome da insuficiência cardíaca (SIC). A hidroterapia é um novo método usado nos programas de reabilitação cardiovascular que parece proporcionar ao paciente um benefício extra em relação ao treinamento físico convencional. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o uso da escala de Borg entre relativamente fácil e ligeiramente cansativo como uma ferramenta de auto-monitorização e auto-adaptação do esforço físico em portadores da SIC no solo e na piscina, por possivelmente levar a freqüência cardíaca a uma faixa entre o limiar anaeróbio e o ponto de compensação respiratório. MÉTODOS: Os pacientes realizaram uma ergoespirometria para determinação dos limiares metabólicos. O percentual da freqüência cardíaca média durante a sessão de exercício em relação à freqüência cardíaca referente ao limiar anaeróbio (%FCE-LA), em relação ao ponto de compensação respiratório (%FCE-PCR), em relação à freqüência cardíaca de pico medida pela ergoespirometria (%FCE-pico) e em relação à freqüência cardíaca máxima predita para a idade (%FCE-Predita) foi realizado. Posteriormente, os pacientes foram randomizados para os grupos piscina ou solo. Um investigador, cego para a freqüência cardíaca referente aos limiares metabólicos instruiu os pacientes a caminhar entre relativamente fácil e ligeiramente cansativo. A freqüência cardíaca média após 30 minutos de exercício foi considerada. RESULTADOS: O %FCE-LA (114±11 versus 111±11, p=0,352) e %FCE-Predita (61±8 versus 58±7, p=0,306) não diferiram entre os grupos piscina e solo; mas diferente no %FCE-PCR (95±7 versus 86±7, p<0,001) e no %EHR-Peak (85±8 versus 78±9, p=0,007). O %FCE-LA (ri=0,63, p=0,018) mostrou uma concordância entre os grupos, mas o %FCE-PCR (ri=0.33, p=0.192), %FCE-pico (ri=-0,18, p=0,643) e %FCE-Predita (ri=-0,38, p=0,755) não. CONCLUSÃO: O exercício físico...

BACKGROUND: The Borg scale is the standardization of perceived exertion most widespread and has been proposed to ensure a submaximal effort in patients with the syndrome of heart failure (SIC). Hydrotherapy is a new method used in cardiovascular rehabilitation programs that seems to offer the patient an extra benefit compared to conventional exercise training. AIM: To evaluate the use of the Borg scale between "relatively easy and slightly tiring" as a tool for self-monitoring and self-adaptation to physical exertion in patients with the SIC on the land and on the hidrotherapy, by possibly lead the heart rate to a range between anaerobic threshold and respiratory compensation. METHODS: Patients performed the cardiopulmonary exercise test to determine the metabolic thresholds. The percentage of the mean heart rate during the exercise session in relation to the anaerobic threshold heart rate (%FCE-LA), in relation to the respiratory compensation point (%EHR-PCR), in relation to the peak heart rate by the exercise test (%EHR-Peak) and in relation to the maximum predicted heart rate (%EHR-Predicted) were performed. Then, patients were randomized into land or water groups. One investigator, blinded to metabolic thresholds heart rate, instructed the patients to walk between relatively easy and slightly tiring. The mean heart rate after the 30 minutes of exercise session was recorded. RESULTS: The %EHR-AT (114±11 to 111±11, p=0,352) and %EHR-Predicted (61±8 to 58±7, p=0,306) were not different between land and water groups; but different in the %EHR-PCR (95±7 to 86±7, p<0,001) and in the %EHR-Peak (85±8 to 78±9, p=0,007). The %EHR-AT (ri=0,63, p=0,018) showed an agreement between groups, but %EHR-VT (ri=0,33, p=0,192), %EHR-Peak (ri=-0,18, p=0,643) and %EHR-Predicted (ri=-0,38, p=0,755) did not. CONCLUSION: The exercise guided by the Borg scale has led to heart rate during exercise to a range between the threshold and respiratory compensation point...

Effect of Spa Therapy on the Six-minute Walk Test in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

Our previous studies have shown that spa therapy can reduce subjective symptoms and improve ventilatory function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study is to measure the effects of spa therapy on walking distance during the six-minute walk test in patients with COPD. Twenty-five COPD patients hospitalized for pulmonary rehabilitation at our hospital were included in this study. Twenty-two patients were male and 3 patients were female. Two patients had stage I, 9 patients had stage II, and 14 patients had stage III COPD, according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. We offered complex spa therapy (swimming training in a hot spring pool, inhalation of iodine salt solution, and fango therapy) in all patients for 4 weeks. Ventilatory function, six-minute walk distance, oxygen saturation and Borg scale were measured. Vital capacity (VC) was significantly improved by spa therapy at 4 weeks (p<0.05). The values of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV_1.0), forced expiratory flow after 75% of expired FVC (FEF₇₅), forced expiratory flow after 50% of expired FVC (FEF₅₀), forced expiratory flow after 25% of expired FVC (FEF₂₅), mean expiratory flow during the middle half of the FVC (FEF_25-75), residual volume (RV), functional residual capacity (FRC), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) showed a tendency to increase, however the increase in the 10 parameters was not significant. The values of six-minute walk distance before and after spa therapy were 288±106m and 323±114m, respectively (p<0.05). There was a significant decrease in values of maximum Borg Scale values (p<0.05). The values of minimum oxygen saturation and the values of oxygen saturation at rest slightly increased, but not significantly. The change of six-minute walk distance correlated with change of VC (r=0.545; p<0.05), with change of FVC (r=0.628; p<0.05), with change of FEV_1.0 (r=0.559; p<0.05), with change of FEF₅₀ (r=0.480; p<0.05), with change of minimum oxygen saturation (SpO₂) (r=0.554; p<0.05) and with change of SpO₂ at rest (r=0.445; p<0.05). We found that spa therapy induced improvements in ventilatory dysfunction and six-minute walk distance in patients with COPD. The results from this study reveal that spa therapy may improve disease control and exercise tolerance in patients with COPD.

Reproducibility of the self-controlled six-minute walking test in heart failure patients

INTRODUCTION: The six-minute walk test (6WT) has been proposed to be a submaximal test, but could actually demand a high level of exercise intensity from the patient, expressed by a respiratory quotient >1.0, following the guideline recommendations. Standardizing the 6WT using the Borg scale was proposed to make sure that all patients undergo a submaximal walking test. PURPOSE: To test the reproducibility of the six-minute treadmill cardiopulmonary walk test (6CWT) using the Borg scale and to make sure that all patients undergo a submaximal test. METHODS: Twenty-three male heart failure patients (50±9 years) were included; these patients had both ischemic (5) and non-ischemic (18) heart failure with a left ventricle ejection fraction of 23±7 percent, were diagnosed as functional class NYHA II-III and were undergoing optimized drug therapy. Patients were guided to walk at a pace between "relatively easy and slightly tiring" (11 and 13 on Borg scale). The 6CWT using the Borg scale was performed two times on a treadmill with zero inclination and patient control of speed with an interval of 24 hours. During the sixth minute, we analyzed ventilation (VE, L/min), respiratory quotient, Oxygen consumption (VO2, ml/kg/min), VE/VCO2 slope, heart rate (HR, bpm), systolic blood pressure (SBP, mmHg), diastolic (DBP, mmHg) blood pressure and distance. RESULTS: The intraclass correlation coefficients at the sixth minute were: HR (r i=0.96, p<0.0001), VE (r i=0.84, p<0.0001), SBP (r i=0.72, p=0.001), distance (r i=0.88, p<0.0001), VO2 (r i=0.92, p<0.0001), SlopeVE/VCO2 (r i=0.86, p<0.0001) and RQ<1 (r i=0.6, p=0.004). CONCLUSION: Using the 6CWT with the Borg scale was reproducible, and it seems to be an appropriate method to evaluate the functional capacity of heart failure patients while making sure that they undergo a submaximal walking test.