Reliability and validity of the six-minute arm test for the evaluation of cardiovascular fitness in people with spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
To design a submaximal arm ergometry test (six-minute arm test [6-MAT]), for persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to determine the test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of this test.


METHODS
Prospective, exploratory, methodologic study. To determine test-retest reliability, subjects completed the 6-MAT on 2 days, separated by 1 week. Validity was determined by comparing 6-MAT results with peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak).


METHODS
Tertiary rehabilitation center.


METHODS
Thirty subjects with SCI (mean age, 36.3y; 83% male).


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Subjects were evaluated on the 6-MAT and a VO2peak test.


RESULTS
All subjects were able to complete the 6-MAT. Test-retest reliability of steady-state oxygen consumption (VO2) and heart rate during the 6-MAT were excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC], .81; 95% confidence interval [CI], .58-.92; ICC=.90; 95% CI, .75-.96, respectively). The correlation between VO2peak and 6-MAT VO2 was excellent (r=.92) and the correlations between VO2peak and 6-MAT heart rate (r=.63) and VO2peak and 6-MAT power output (r=.73) were good.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that the 6-MAT has acceptable values for test-retest reliability and validity. The 6-MAT should be further tested for responsiveness to enhance its use as a clinical tool.
Hol
Adrienne T
AT
Research Laboratory, GF Strong Rehab Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Eng
Janice J
JJ
Miller
William C
WC
Sproule
Shannon
S
Krassioukov
Andrei V
AV
D000328:Adult; D016552:Ergometry / Q000379:methods*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000145:classification* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016138:Walking; D014910:Wheelchairs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data