Validity of the modified 20-metre shuttle test: assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness in people who have sustained a traumatic brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
To validate the modified 20-metre shuttle test in adults who have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI).


METHODS
Single-sample validity study.


METHODS
Brain injury rehabilitation unit.


METHODS
Twenty-four adults with severe TBI, discharged from hospital for at least 6-months.


METHODS
Participants attended the facility for a familiarization session, followed by a symptom-limited treadmill test and a modified shuttle test on two separate days. The treadmill test was based on an individualised protocol which used a physiotherapist-selected speed and increments in gradient every minute until volitional fatigue. The modified shuttle test was externally-paced and commenced with a speed of 2.4 km h(-1) which increased every minute until volitional fatigue.


METHODS
Four primary measures were taken from both tests: peak oxygen uptake, peak heart rate, maximal velocity and rating of perceived exertion.


RESULTS
All participants completed the study. There were no adverse events. A high correlation was observed between the modified shuttle test and the treadmill test for peak oxygen uptake, peak heart rate and maximal velocity (r = 0.96, r = 0.80, r = 0.82, respectively; p < 0.001), but not for rating of perceived exertion (r = 0.013, p = 0.952).


CONCLUSIONS
The modified shuttle test is a valid measure of cardiorespiratory fitness in people who have sustained a TBI.
Hassett
L M
LM
Discipline of Physiotherapy, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, NSW, Australia. leanne.hassett@sswahs.nsw.gov.au
Harmer
A R
AR
Moseley
A M
AM
Mackey
M G
MG
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015444:Exercise; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D005082:Physical Exertion; D010809:Physical Fitness; D015203:Reproducibility of Results