INTRODUCTION: The physical performance has become an important object of study in obese people for the preoperative evaluation of bariatric surgery. However, there is still lack of studies, especially those regarding field tests or functional capacity. OBJECTIVE: to compare the results of the Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and the Shuttle Walk Test (SWT) in obese women, along with the answers in Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ-20). METHODOLOGY: Thirteen women with mean age of 44 ± 11 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 43 ± 5 kg/m² were evaluated and submitted, randomly and consecutively, to the 6MWT, SWT, spirometry, strength respiratory muscle and HAQ-20 questionnaire. RESULTS: We found that the distances were significantly different (6MWT = 489 ± 129 m and ± 161 m SWT = 244), and the score of the HAQ-20 showed a median of 1.125. When verified the correlation of the HAQ-20 with 6MW and the SWT, this was only observed for the field dressing with the 6MWT. CONCLUSION: Based on these results it is concluded that the distance covered in 6MWT was higher than in SWT, which suggests a better applicability of the 6MWT in obese and in this case, possibly more sensitive in the assessment of functional capacity than the SWT. The results of the HAQ-20 were less discriminating as one field of eight was significant when correlated with the walked distances.
Obesity; Exercise testing; Walking; Quality of life; Spirometry
