Equações de referência para o teste de caminhada incremental em pessoas saudáveis no Brasil: uma revisão de escopo

Abstract

Background: Reference equations for the Incremental Shuttle Walking Test (ISWT) are essential for assessing cardiorespiratory fitness but need to be tailored to the target population, considering its specific physical and social characteristics. Aim: To summarize the scientific evidence on reference equations for the ISWT in healthy individuals in Brazil. Methods: This study is a scoping review conducted following the JBI Collaboration methodology and the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Studies involving (apparently) healthy individuals from the general population, without restrictions regarding age, sex, or race/ethnicity, that reported reference equations and/or values for the ISWT in a Brazilian context were included. The search strategy covered both published and unpublished studies through the information sources CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS, PubMed, SciELO, Sumários.org, Google Scholar, and grey literature sources. Studies were selected by two blinded reviewers using the Rayyan platform. Data were extracted using a form developed by the authors. Results: A total of 10 studies were selected from 127 records identified in the information sources, with a combined sample of 1,019 participants, aged 6 to approximately 80 years. Six reference equations for Brazilians were mapped, mostly from studies conducted in the Southeast region of Brazil (5/6). One equation was developed for children and adolescents (1/6), one for young adults and middle-aged adults (1/6), and four for middle-aged adults and older adults (4/6). None of the equations distinguished skin color and all provided gender-specific calculations. Conclusion: A predominance of reference equations from studies conducted in the Southeast region of Brazil was observed, focusing on middle-aged adults and older adults, with no distinction by skin color and gender-specific formulas.