🔴 Evaluation of
Aerobic capacity 🔴
Contents :
🔹Definition
🔹Evaluation
*Testing
*Types
🔹Principles
🔹Purpose
🔹Procedure
🔹Uses
🔹Precautions
🔹Termination
Definition
Aerobic capacity is the highest amount of oxygen consumed during maximal exercise
Evaluation of aerobic capacity is carried out via Exercise Stress Testing
Exercise 
Stress Testing
➖It is a non-invasive procedure
➖It is used to evaluate the cardiovascular system
➖It is carried out under controlled and carefully monitored conditions.
➖It is used to assess the patient's ability to tolerate increased physical activity
Types
1️⃣ Field tests
2️⃣ Multistage tests
🔴Field tests
Use of field practices for testing the cardiovascular functions
These tests are carried out for individuals who are not that physically active.
E.g. 1.5 miles run, distance run for 12 minutes, 1-minute walk test, 6 minutes walk test, and step test
🔴Multistage tests
These tests use of equipment to monitor the excursion and measurements are obtained via. ECG, Sphygmomanometer, Pulse Oximetry etc.,
Multistage testing involves
1️⃣ Treadmill Testing
2️⃣ Bicycle Ergometer stress testing
🛑 Treadmill testing
Use of powered machines driven by an electrical motor for walking 
and running used for testing and are connected with other equipment such as ECG, spirometry etc.,
🛑 Bicycle Ergometer stress testing.
Stationary cycling equipment used to measure the cardiac performance connected similarly to that of while treadmill testing
➖Multistage testing includes grades of performance
➖The testing is completed in 4 to 6 sets of stages
➖Each grade or stage is 3 to 6 minutes long
➖There are numerous protocols to evaluate multistage tests
🛑Factors that affect the protocols
🔹Number of stages
🔹Magnitude of exercise
🔹Equipment used
🔹Duration of stages
🔹Endpoints
🔹Position of body
🔹Muscle groups exercised
🔹Types of effort
Principles
▪Preparing the patient for stress testing
▪Identifying the grade or stage according to physical activeness of the subject
▪ Maintaining each workload for 1 minute or longer
▪Changing the workload by increasing the speed and grade of the treadmill and resistance in case of bicycle ergometer
▪Measuring the cardiac activity of the subject while on testing E.g. maximum oxygen consumption
▪Terminating the test at the onset of symptoms or any definable abnormalities seen in ECG
Purpose
▪To diagnose
▪To evaluate cardiovascular functional capacity
▪To determine the physical work capacity
▪To evaluate responses while exercise training
▪To render effective treatment
▪To increase the motivation of the subject entering the exercise program
▪To evaluate pulmonary problems
Procedure
Prepare the patient
✔ Take a clear history
✔ Assess the patient
✔ Physical Examination
✔ Explain the procedure and take a consent form signed from the patient or patient attendee
✔ Guide the patient of avoiding any excursion and heavy eating two hours before the testing procedure
✔ Know the endpoints
Preparation of equipment
✔ Checking of the equipment
✔ Checking the connections of equipment with other cardiopulmonary function assessing devices
Testing procedure
✔ Deciding the protocol or resistance according to the assessment of physical fitness
✔ Monitoring the patient throughout the testing procedure
✔ Weaning the testing if any discomfort or complications observed
Uses
▫Non-invasive
▫Easy to perform
▫Flexible
▫Adaptable
▫Reliable
▫Inexpensive
▫Readily available in hospital setup
▫Effective diagnostic procedure
Precautions
▪Monitor the heart rate to assess the abnormal increase
▪Monitor the rate and depth of respiration
- The individual should not have shortness of breath
- Respiration should not be strived
▪See for the temperature
- Increase in blood flow regulates body temperature resulting in the changes in the skin such as colour, texture and temperature to redness, moist and warm.
▪Monitor the BP
- Systolic BP should not exceed 220 to 240 mm of Hg
- Diastolic BP should not exceed 120 mm of Hg
Termination
Endpoints
▫Progressive angina/ Unstable angina
▫Lightheadedness
▫Confusion
▫Pallor
▫Cyanosis
▫Syncope
▫Nausea
▫Abnormal ECG responses
- ST-segment progressive elevation
- ST-segment depression greater than 4mm
▫A significant drop in Systolic BP
▫Excessive rise in BP
▫Subjects wish to stop 
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
Comments