Glittre endurance test: A new test to assess the functional capacity of individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Respir Med. 2022 Oct:202:106983. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2022.106983. Epub 2022 Sep 7.

Abstract

Background: For people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) the ability to perform functional activities for a prolonged duration is important for completion of daily tasks. While the Glittre-ADL test measures time taken to complete a series of functional activities, there is no test of endurance capacity for common daily activities.

Research question: Is the Glittre Endurance test a valid and responsive test to measure endurance capacity for functional daily tasks in people with COPD?

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Fifty-seven participants with COPD (mean ± SD age:69 ± 7 years; FEV1:48 ± 18%predicted) were recruited. All participants performed the Glittre-ADL test without a backpack (Glittre-ADL-noBP). Nine participants (Group A) performed a Glittre Endurance test at 90% of the speed to complete one lap of the Glittre-ADL-noBP. 48 participants (Group B) performed two Glittre Endurance tests at 100% of Glittre-ADL-noBP speed. The time to voluntary cessation or not keeping up with target pace was the test outcome.

Results: Mean ± SD of the Glittre Endurance test was 12.11 ± 6.43 min and 6.90 ± 4.40 min for the test at 90% and 100% speeds, respectively. When the 100% Glittre Endurance test 2 was compared to test 1, there was a 14% increase in test time, indicating a learning effect (p = 0.005). Following pulmonary rehabilitation (n = 20) the Glittre Endurance test increased by 3.12 min (29%), and the Glittre-ADL-noBP reduced by 0.33 min (10%).

Conclusion: The Glittre Endurance test performed at 100% of the Glittre-ADL-noBP speed provided an appropriate endurance test time, and was more sensitive to change following pulmonary rehabilitation than the Glittre-ADL-noBP.

Keywords: Endurance capacity; Field test; Functional capacity; Glittre-ADL test; Responsiveness.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living*
  • Aged
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Exercise Test
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Nutritional Status
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / diagnosis
  • Respiratory Function Tests