Background
There currently is no field test available for measuring maximal exercise capacity in people with stroke.

Objective
To determine the feasibility, reproducibility and validity of the Shuttle Test (ST) to measure exercise capacity in people with stroke.

Design
Longitudinal study design.

Setting
Rehabilitation department, day care centres from a nursing home and private practices specialized in neuro rehabilitation.

Subjects
People with subacute or chronic stroke.

Interventions
A standardized protocol was used to determine feasibility, reproducibility and validity of the 10-meter Shuttle Test (10mST).

Main measures
Number of shuttles completed, 1stVentilatory Threshold (1stVT).

Results
The associations of the number of shuttles completed and cardiopulmonary capacity as measured with a portable gas analyser were r > 0.7, confirming good convergent validity in subacute and chronic people with stroke. Criterion validity, however, indicates it is not a valid test for measuring maximal cardiopulmonary capacity (VO2max). Only 60% of participants were able to reach the 1stVT. Higher cardiopulmonary capacity and a higher total score of the lower extremity Motricity Index contributed significantly to a higher number of shuttles walked (p = 0.001).

Conclusions
The Shuttle Test may be a safe and useful exercise test for people after stroke, but may not be appropriate for use with people who walk slower than 2 km/h or 0.56 m/s.