Abstract Objective: To develop, validate, and test the reproducibility of a new test capable of assessing functional performance in children and adolescents (PAY test: Performance Activity in Youth). Methods: participants without and with asthma were included in the development and validation phases, respectively. The PAY test includes five activities: transition from sitting to standing, walking 10 m, step climbing, shoulder extension and flexion, and star jumps. Participants underwent the Pediatric Glittre test (TGlittre-P test time), modified shuttle test (MST), and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). Outcomes: PAY test and TGlittre-P test times, oxygen uptake (VO2peak), and distance walked in the MST. Results: 8 healthy volunteers, aged 12 (7 -15) years old were included in the development phase and 34 participants with asthma, aged 11 (7-14) years old, in the validation phase. The PAY test elicited greater physiological responses (VO2peak 33.5 ± 6.9 mL/kg) than the TGlittre-P (VO2peak: 27.4 ± 9.0 mL/kg), but lower than the MST (VO2peak: 48.9 ± 14.2 mL/kg) and CPET (VO2peak: 42.0 ± 8.8 mL/kg), p < .05. Moderate correlation between the PAY test time and the TGlittre-P time (r = 0.70, p < .001) and distance walked in the MST (r = -0.72, p < .001). The PAY test time was longer in participants with asthma than in healthy participants (3.1 [3.0 – 3.3] min vs. 2.3 [2.1 – 2.4 min]), p < .001.; and the test was reproducible (ICC 0.78, CI 95% 0.55-0.90, p < .001). Conclusions: The PAY test is a valid and reproducible tool for assessing functional performance in children and adolescents with asthma.

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: O teste do degrau vem sendo utilizado para avaliação da capacidade de exercício em doenças respiratórias crônicas, mas seu uso ainda não foi descrito em bronquiectasia (BCQ).OBJETIVOS:Analisar a reprodutibilidade do teste de degrau de Chester (TDC) e teste do degrau incremental modificado (TDIM) e correlacioná-los com a função pulmonar, frequência cardíaca (FC) e distância no teste da caminhada de seis minutos (DTC6).MÉTODO:Em dias separados, 17 pacientes realizaram, randomicamente, dois TDC, dois TDIM e dois TC6. O número de degraus (ND), FC e percepção do esforço foram registrados antes e imediatamente ao final dos testes.RESULTADOS:O número de degraus (ND) foi reprodutível para TDC (124±65 e 125±67) e TDIM (158±83 e 156±76). Não houve diferença entre o TDC e o TDIM na FC (138±25 bpm e 136±27 bpm), SpO2 (91±5% e 91±3%) e percepção do esforço [dispneia: 4 (3-5) e 4 (2-4,5)] e fadiga 4 (2-6) e 4 (3-5)]. O TDC teve duração significantemente inferior ao TDIM (6,0±2,2 min e 8,6±3,0 min) e menor ND (125±67 e 158±83). Houve correlação do ND com o VEF1, a DTC6 e a FC em ambos os testes.CONCLUSÕES:O TDC e o TDIM são reprodutíveis em bronquiectásicos. O TDIM é mais tolerado por esses pacientes. Quanto melhor a função pulmonar e DTC6, maior o ND e, consequentemente, maior a FC atingida no pico dos testes.

BACKGROUND: The step test has been used to assess exercise capacity in patients with chronic respiratory disease; however, its use has not been described with regard to patients with bronchiectasis (BCT).OBJECTIVE:This study assessed the reliability of the Chester step test (CST) and the modified incremental step test (MIST) and also correlated these tests with pulmonary function, heart rate (HR), and distance walked during the 6-min walk test (6-MWT).METHOD:On separate days, 17 patients randomly underwent two CSTs, two MISTs, and two 6-MWTs. Number of steps (NOSs), HR, and perceived exertion were recorded immediately before and after these tests.RESULTS:NOSs were similar across CSTs (124±65 and 125±67) and MISTs (158±83 and 156±76). Differences were not found across the CSTs and MISTs with regard to HR (138±25 bpm and 136±27 bpm), SpO2 (91±5% and 91±3%), perceived exertion (dyspnea=4 [3-5] and 4 [2-4.5]) and fatigue (4 [2-6] and 4 [3-5]). The CST was significantly briefer than the MIST (6.0±2.2 min and 8.6±3.0 min) and had fewer associated NOS (125±67 and 158±83). NOSs were correlated with FEV1, the 6-MWD, and HR for both tests.CONCLUSIONS: The CST and MIST are reliable in patients with BCT. Patients tolerated the MIST more than the CST. Better lung function and 6-MWT scores predicted the greater NOSs and greater peak HR.