Static and Functional Balance in Individuals With COPD: Comparison With Healthy Controls and Differences According to Sex and Disease Severity.

Background: Studies have shown that individuals with COPD have impaired body balance, probably caused by the disease's multisystemic manifestations plus age-related decline in balance, potentially increasing the risk of falling and its consequences. However, little is known about the profile of individuals with COPD who present balance impairments, especially related to sex and disease severity stages. The aim of this work was to compare static and functional balance between subjects with COPD and healthy controls and to check possible differences according to sex and degrees of disease severity.

Are 30 minutes of rest between two incremental shuttle walking tests enough for cardiovascular variables and perceived exertion to return to baseline values?

Objective: To verify whether 30 minutes of rest between two incremental shuttle walking tests (ISWT) are enough for cardiovascular variables and perceived exertion to return to baseline values in healthy subjects in a broad age range.

Method: The maximal exercise capacity of 334 apparently healthy subjects (age ≥ 18) was evaluated using the ISWT. The test was performed twice with 30 minutes of rest in between.

Does the Incremental Shuttle Walking Test require maximal effort in healthy subjects of different ages?

Objective: To evaluate if the Incremental Shuttle Walking Test (ISWT) requires maximal effort in healthy subjects of different ages.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: University-based research laboratory.