The examiner records the time an individual can walk one mile. This test was designed for many age groups and fitness levels. The highest speed reached is the maximal aerobic speed. The examiner increases the pace at which the subject is required to run back and forth. The subject runs between two lines spaced 20 meters apart. This test assesses maximal aerobic capacity and was designed for children, adults, and athletes. The patient is asked to cover the longest distance possible in 12 minutes, preferably by running, but by walking if needed. It is typically used to evaluate cardiopulmonary fitness for functional individuals. This test consists of various run-walk tests. Such testing is not widely used because of lack of equipment. For wheelchair-bound individuals, some clinicians have fabricated wheelchair ergometers. For patients with lower limb limitations who cannot be tested on a treadmill or bicycle, the upper limb ergometer, a modified bicycle with hand-powered pedals, is used. A bicycle ergometer measures the individual's workload and increases workload in increments for eight to 12 minutes. Bicycle tests are a common alternative to treadmill testing. During treadmill tests, individuals walk on various inclines at various speeds for increasing lengths of time.īICYCLE ERGOMETRY. Although it is best suited for younger and active patients, the Bruce protocol was designed to diagnose cardiovascular disease. Although the Bruce Treadmill Test protocol has been the most widely used, its results have been considered to sometimes overestimate a person's exercise capacity. The treadmill is one of most commonly used endurance tests. A therapist also can instruct a client to perform a task until becoming fatigued. A therapist can determine endurance by instructing a client to perform a particular task for a specific length of time or perform the task for a specific number of repetitions. A device such as a dynamometer is used to measure strength, and physical endurance can subsequently be charted. Endurance testing can be conducted in a variety of ways. The physician often includes specific instructions. DescriptionĬlients are generally referred to a therapist by a physician treating them for a disease or disability. Persons with cardiac disease, hypertension, or diabetes could experience distress during endurance testing and must be closely monitored. PrecautionsĪ person with poor balance or coordination should not undergo endurance testing that involves movements that could cause dizziness or fainting. It is often a challenge to accurately duplicate work environments. The therapist ascertains whether the individual can perform job tasks, and if not, designs a relevant rehabilitation program. A person who is injured on the job may be referred to a rehabilitation therapist for work hardening treatment. Such testing is particularly important in work hardening programs. Other types of endurance testing are important in determining how independent an individual can be in performing work activities. Submaximal testing determines the best level for a person to safely engage in during a physical activity program. Maximal exercise testing can be used to determine the greatest amount of activity a person can endure and how rigorous the activity can be. Clinicians make note of any discomfort or pain. The patient also reports on a rating of perceived exertion (RPE), which is a 15-point scale that grades exertion from extremely light to extremely hard. Exercise tests measure heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and breathlessness. The goal of exercise testing is to produce a sufficient level of exercise stress without too much strain on an individual. PurposeĮndurance testing is often used to assess a person's cardiovascular fitness to determine if cardiovascular disease is present and to evaluate the patient before embarking on a physical fitness program. The level of activity used to test endurance can be minimal to maximal. Endurance testing involves determining the amount of time a person can maintain an activity or perform a task or activity of daily living before becoming fatigued and needing to stop.
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