title: Proposal for a Candidate Core Set of Fitness and Strength Tests for Patients with Childhood or Adult Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Currently there are no evidence-based recommendations regarding fitness and strength tests for patients with childhood or adult idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). This hinders clinicians and researchers in choosing the appropriate fitness- or muscle strength-related outcome measures for these patients. Through a Delphi survey, we aimed to identify a candidate core set of fitness and strength tests for children and adults with IIM.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen experts participated in a Delphi survey that consisted of 5 stages to achieve a consensus. Using an extensive search of published literature and through the work of experts, a candidate core set based on expert opinion and clinimetrics properties was developed. Members of the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group were invited to review this candidate core set during the final stage, which led to a final candidate core set.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A core set of fitness- and strength-related outcome measures was identified for children and adults with IIM. For both children and adults, different tests were identified and selected for maximal aerobic fitness, submaximal aerobic fitness, anaerobic fitness, muscle strength tests, and muscle function tests.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The core set of fitness- and strength-related outcome measures provided by this expert consensus process will assist practitioners and researchers in deciding which tests to use in patients with IIM. This will improve the uniformity of fitness and strength tests across studies, thereby facilitating the comparison of study results and therapeutic exercise program outcomes among patients with IIM.
authors.forename: Djamilla K D
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: van der Stap
authors.forename: Lisa G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Rider
authors.forename: Helene
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Alexanderson
authors.forename: Adam M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gualano
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Janjaap
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van der Net
authors.forename: Pernille
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mathiesen
authors.forename: Liam G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Floranne C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Ernste
authors.forename: Brian M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.forename: Kristin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Houghton
authors.forename: Davinder
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Singh-Grewal
authors.forename: Abraham Garcia
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Kutzbach
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alemo Munters
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takken
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D009220:Myositis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009426:Netherlands; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors
keywords: EXERCISE; FITNESS; INSTRUMENTS; MYOSITIS; OUTCOME MEASURES