A timed sit-to-stand test and prediction equation had poor agreement with a graded exercise test in people with stroke.

Abstract

To investigate the agreement between a graded exercise test (GXT) and a 45-second sit-to-stand test and prediction equation to predict cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in people with stroke. People with ischaemic stroke admitted to subacute outpatient rehabilitation at Epworth HealthCare were screened for eligibility and invited to participate. Participants completed two tests of CRF: 1) a 45-second sit-to-stand test, and 2) a GXT with measurement of gas exchange. Both tests were completed within seven days of each other, with the order of test administration randomised. Heart rate response during and after the sit-to-stand test was input into a prediction equation to obtain predicted maximal volume of oxygen consumption (VO_2max). Concurrent validity was determined by calculating Lin's concordance correlation coefficients (CCC). A total of 30 people with stroke (males <i>n</i> = 23, mean ± standard deviation age 67.1 ± 9.9 years) were recruited. Predicted mean VO_2max based on the sit-to-stand test was 36.2 ml.kg^-1.min^-1, while the GXT mean VO_2max was 28.0 ml.kg^-1.min^-1. There was poor agreement between the two fitness tests (CCC 0.11, 95% CI -0.07 to 0.28). Predicted VO_2max based on a 45-second sit-to-stand test does not appear to be a valid test of CRF in people with stroke.