The two-minute step test (2MST) is a submaximal test to assess functional capacity, but few studies analyze its reliability and learning effect.

To verify the reliability and learning effect of the two-minute step test in healthy individuals.

Observational and methodological study, approved by local ethics committee, carried out from March to October 2024 using a non-probabilistic convenience sample. Individuals aged 18 to 80 years of both sexes were invited. The exclusion criteria were: untreated and/or unstable chronic diseases, previous diagnosis of lung and/or heart diseases, diseases and/or dysfunctions that interfered with walking, and Charlson Comorbidity Index > 4. Individuals who reached 85% of maximum heart rate (HR) and did not attend all assessments were also excluded. The test consists of marching in place for two minutes. The steps consisted of the number of times the right knee reached the predetermined height (midpoint between the iliac crest and the upper edge of the patella). Step counting was performed by two evaluators (randomized order). The test was performed twice on the same day (with 30-minute intervals) and repeated after a 7-day interval between the first and second assessment, resulting in a total of four tests. Vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, and peripheral oxygen saturation) were monitored. Quantitative variables were described as mean (standard error), or 95% confidence interval (95% CI), and qualitative variables were expressed as absolute (relative) frequency. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability was determined by the intraclass correlation method (ICC), considering the classification: < 0.50 (low reliability), 0.50 to 0.75 (moderate reliability), 0.76 to 0.90 (good reliability) and > 0.90 (excellent reliability). The learning effect was verified using the paired t-test (comparing the difference between the first and the last test). The significance level considered was 5% (p < 0.05).

Thirty-one individuals aged 26 (24-34) years were included, of whom 16 (51.6%) were male. The ICC showed good inter-rater reliability on the first day [ICC = 0.838 (95% CI: 0.668-0.922); p = 0.000] and excellent inter-rater reliability on the second day [ICC = 0.911; (95%CI: 0.811-0.958); p = 0.000]. The intra-rater analyses for Evaluator 1 [ICC = 0.801 (95% CI: 0.587-0.904); p = 0.000] and Evaluator 2 [ICC = 0.758 (95% CI:0.506-0.883); p = 0.000] demonstrated good reliability. The number of steps of the last 2MST [107.6(2.3)] was significantly greater (p = 0.009) than the number of steps of the first TME2 [101.3(2,7)]. The mean difference between the two tests was 6.3 steps.

The two-minute step test presented good and excellent reliability and a significant learning effect.

The 2MST has proven to be a reliable tool for assessing functional capacity. Additionally, it demonstrated a significant learning effect, suggesting that repeated testing can enhance performance.