Reliability and Validity of the Six-Minute Arm Test for the Evaluation of Cardiovascular Fitness in People With Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract 

Hol AT, Eng JJ, Miller WC, Sproule S, Krassioukov AV. Reliability and validity of the six-minute arm test for the evaluation of cardiovascular fitness in people with spinal cord injury.

Objectives

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.

Design

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).

Setting

Tertiary rehabilitation center.

Participants

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

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

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 (V̇o₂) 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 V̇o₂ 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.

Key Words: Arm ergometry test, Exercise test, Physical fitness, Rehabilitation, Spinal cord injuries