RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) is a valuable tool for the assessment of functional capacity. However, few studies have used the ISWT in individuals with obesity or have determined its reproducibility in this population. PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reproducibility of the ISWT in women with morbid obesity. METHODS: Twenty-three women with a body mass index >40 kg/m(2) (mean age: 39.1 ± 7.7) performed the ISWT twice on the same day. RESULTS: The mean distance traveled was 313.3 ± 100.2 m on the first test and 322.5 ± 98.9 on the second test, with no significant difference between tests. The intraclass correlation coefficient (0.91) indicated excellent reproducibility. Reliability determined through Bland-Altman analysis revealed a small mean difference between tests (-9.2 m). CONCLUSION: The practice of repeating the ISWT appears to be unnecessary for women with morbid obesity, as demonstrated by the excellent reproducibility of the test.
