High body mass is associated with functional limitations affecting both the lower and upper extremities. While the 6 min pegboard and ring test (6PBRT) is a validated measure of upper extremity exercise capacity in various clinical populations, its clinimetric properties across the broader spectrum of individuals with overweight and obesity remain to be fully established. The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of the 6PBRT in individuals who are overweight and obesity. A sample of 51 participants (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m², aged 18–65 years) was included. Exercise capacity of the upper extremities, functional capacity, muscle function and upper extremity functional status were evaluated using the 6PBRT, 6 min walk test (6MWT), handgrip strength (HGS) and the 30-second push-up test and Upper Extremity Functional Index (UEFI), respectively. Reliability was analysed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and validity was examined by correlation analyses. The 6PBRT showed good test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.884; 95% CI: 0.797–0.934; p < 0.001), and a substantial enhancement was evident when comparing the initial and subsequent tests (396.59 ± 60.77 vs. 432.59 ± 79.95; p < 0.001). Moderate correlations were observed between 6PBRT and 6MWT (r = 0.420, p = 0.002; r = 0.486, p < 0.001). In addition, weak but statistically significant correlations were found between the 6PBRT and dominant HGS (r = 0.292, p = 0.037; r = 0.291, p = 0.039), non-dominant HGS (r = 0.345, p = 0.013; r = 0.330, p = 0.018), 30-second push-up test (r = 0.302, p = 0.031; r = 0.332, r = 0.017) and UEFI scores (r = 0.366, p = 0.008; r = 0.331, p = 0.018). The 6PBRT is a reliable and valid tool for evaluating exercise capacity in the upper extremities of individuals with overweight and obesity. It may also be useful for assessing functional performance in clinical and rehabilitation settings. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06742112), registered 2024.12.16.
Firat et al. (Tue,) studied this question.