Reliability and repeatability of the shuttle walk test in patients with chronic low back pain

The aim of this study was to assess the test-retest reliability and repeatability of the shuttle walk test in patients with chronic low back pain. This was assessed by comparing performance on two consecutive walk tests performed on ten patients with chronic low back pain. There were no significant differences in the visual analogue scale for pain, resting heart rate, resting oxygen saturation (SaO(2)) or resting Borg perceived rate of exertion scale between the two study days. There was a significant and strong correlation between trials for the distance completed and peak heart rate. There was a significant but moderate correlation for peak SaO(2) and peak Borg rating of perceived exertion. The coefficients of repeatability for the repeated shuttle walk test were 2.5 shuttles for change in distance completed, 8 beats per minute for change in peak heart rate, 2% for change in peak SaO(2) and 2.2 for change in Borg rating of perceived exertion. This study demonstrates that the shuttle walk test is a reliable and repeatable measure in patients with chronic low back pain and may be of value in establishing the impact of treatments on the functional disability associated with chronic low back pain.