Master's Theses

Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

Spring 2013

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Health and Human Performance

Advisor

Dr. Greg Kandt

Abstract

A variety of time limited, distance limited and incremental shuttle walk tests have been utilized to evaluate functional fitness. Most incremental shuttle walk tests require the same leg to always be on the inside of the walking pattern; therefore receiving more stress because the body’s mass shifts to the inside foot. Only one previous study used a figure-8 walking pattern, it was not used to measure functional fitness (Hess, 2010). The purpose of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of the Fort Hays State University (FHSU) shuttle walk test of functional walking fitness incorporating a figure-8 walking pattern. This study includes participants performing two different shuttle walk tests: the FHSU shuttle walk and the previously validated Modified Shuttle walk test (MSWT). Dependent variables were total number of shuttles completed, final walking velocity and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Independent variables were shuttle walk version (MSWT and FHSU), age and gender. Peak walking velocity during a single 10 meter walk was also evaluated. A Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was utilized to test for a significant difference total number of shuttles completed and RPE between the FHSU and MSWT. Test-retest reliability for both variables during the FHSU was also evaluated. Significant differences were found for total number of shuttles completed between the MSWT and FHSU. There was an increase in total number of shuttles completed during the FHSU shuttle walk (152.4 ± 52.21 shuttles) when compared to the Modified Shuttle Walk test (MSWT) (132.9 ± 48.12 shuttles). No significant differences were found in the total number of shuttles completed by participants who performed the same FHSU shuttle walk both days or in RPE for either group. The results indicate that performance during the shuttle walk test is independent of age and gender. The FHSU test can be considered valid and reliable although it results in more total shuttles completed than the MSWT.

Comments

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Rights

© 2013 Lynae Wright

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