Validation of the Modified Shuttle Test to Predict Peak Oxygen Uptake in Youth Asthma Patients Under Regular Treatment

• Main Authors: Fernanda C. Lanza, Mariana M. Reimberg, Raphael Ritti-Dias, Rebeca S. Scalco, Gustavo F. Wandalsen, Dirceu Sole, Marco van Brussel, H. J. Hulzebos, Simone Dal Corso, Tim Takken
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2018-07-01
• Series: Frontiers in Physiology
• Subjects: shuttle test; asthma; oxygen uptake; prediction equation; validation
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fphys.2018.00919/full

Background: Oxygen uptake (VO2) evaluations by cardiopulmonary exercise test is expensive and time-consuming. Estimating VO2 based on a field test would be an alternative.Objective: To develop and validate an equation to predict VO2peak based on the modified shuttle test (MST).Methods: Cross sectional study, with 97 children and adolescents with asthma. Participants were divided in two groups: the equation group (EG), to construct the equation model of VO2peak, and the cross-validation group (VG). Each subject performed the MST twice using a portable gas analyzer. The peak VO2peak during MST was used in the equation model. The patients’ height, weight, gender, and distance walked (DW) during MST were tested as independent variables.Results: The final model [-0.457 + (gender × 0.139) + (weight × 0.025) + (DW × 0.002)] explained 87% of VO2peak variation. The VO2peak predicted was similar to VO2peak measured by gas analyzer (1.9 ± 0.5 L/min and 2.0 ± 0.5 L/min, respectively) (p = 0.67), and presented significant ICC 0.91 (IC95% 0.77 to 0.96); p < 0.001. The Bland–Altman analysis showed low bias (-0.15 L/min) and limits of agreement (-0.65 to 0.35 L/min). There was no difference in DW between EG (760 ± 209 m) and VG (731 ± 180 m), p = 0.51.Conclusion: The developed equation adequately predicts VO2peak in pediatric patients with asthma.