Exercise Capacity Flashcards
Define exercise
Purposeful, structured activity that involves gross muscular activity to improve physical condition (e.g. jogging)
Define physical activity
A holistic term that includes all (purposeful and accidental) muscular activity of all intensities (e.g. walking)
Define activities of the daily living
Basic independent self-care tasks done on a daily basis that require coordination, strength and range of motion
Name three tests that can be used to evaluate exercise capacity in clinical populations
Cardiopulmonary exercise test
Six-minute walk test
Incremental shuttle walk test
What does a cardiopulmonary exercise test involve?
Uses a cycle ergometer or treadmill
Intensity is incremental
Undertaken under close clinical supervision in a controlled environment
What is measured during a cardiopulmonary exercise test?
ECG
Ventilation
O2 and CO2
What are the outputs of a cardiopulmonary exercise test?
Lots of data
Peak VO2 is usually the primary outcome
ECG changes monitored throughout
What are the advantages of a cardiopulmonary exercise test?
Quantifies performance in relation to metabolism
Precise and reproducible
Continuous monitoring for safety
What are the disadvantages of a cardiopulmonary exercise test?
Requires skilled technical support (equipment calibration etc)
Very expensive
Needs dedicated space
What does a six-minute walk test (6MWT) involve?
Uses a 20-30m flat course (e.g. corridor)
Objective is to cover the greatest distance possible in six minutes
Externally timed by assessor
Sub-maximal test
What are the outputs of a 6MWT?
Primary outcome is total distance walked in six minutes
Secondary variables may be ‘perceived exertion’ scales, heart rate and pulse oximetry
What are the advantages of a 6MWT?
Patient-driven pace - speeding up, slowing down and rest is okay
Cheap to deploy
Validated in many clinical populations
What are the disadvantages of a 6MWT?
Requires a significant unobstructed course (often public hospital corridor)
Pace is not regulated
What does an incremental shuttle walk test involve?
Uses a 10m circuit
Externally paced by an audio recording (like bleep test)
Each minute has one extra length than the previous (e.g. minute 1: three 20s lengths, minute 2: four 15s lengths)
What are the outputs of an incremental shuttle walk test?
Primary outcome is total distance walked before volitional end (patient stops)
Secondary variables may be ‘perceived exertion’ scales, heart rate and pulse oximetry
