Harran Al-Rahamneh

The validity of predicting peak oxygen uptake from a perceptually guided graded exercise test during arm exercise in paraplegic individuals

Study design:Each participant completed two submaximal, perceptually guided arm crank exercise tests and a graded exercise test (GXT) to volitional exhaustion.Objective:To assess the validity of a submaximal, perceptually guided exercise test to predict peak oxygen uptake ([Vdot ]O2peak) during arm cranking in paraplegic individuals.Setting:University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.Participants:Eleven men with paraplegia as a result of poliomyelitis infection or spinal cord injury completed two submaximal perceptually guided exercise tests and an arm crank GXT to volitional exhaustion.Main outcome measures:The prediction of [Vdot ]O2peak was calculated by extrapolating the submaximal rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and [Vdot ]O2 values by linear regression to RPE20.Results:There were no significant differences between measured and predicted [Vdot ]O2peak from the three submaximal ranges of the RPE (that is, 9–13, 9–15 and 9–17) when extrapolated to RPE20 during both perceptually guided exercise tests (all P>0.05). However, the second perceptually guided exercise tests provided a more accurate prediction of [Vdot ]O2peak as reflected by narrower 95% limits of agreement and higher intraclass correlation coefficients.Conclusion:This study has shown that [Vdot ]O2peak may be predicted with reasonable accuracy from a perceptually guided exercise test, especially after a full familiarization trial.

Relationship between perceived exertion and physiologic markers during arm exercise with able-bodied participants and participants with poliomyelitis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the strength of the relationship between ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and oxygen uptake (Vo(2)), heart rate, ventilation (Ve) and power output (PO) during an arm-crank ramped exercise test to volitional exhaustion in men and women who differed in physical status. DESIGN Each participant completed an arm-crank ramp exercise test to volitional exhaustion. PO was increased by 15 W.min(-1) and 6 W.min(-1) for men and women able-bodied participants, respectively; for the poliomyelitis participants, 9 W.min(-1) and 6 W.min(-1) increments were used for men and women, respectively. SETTING Laboratory facilities at a university. PARTICIPANTS Able-bodied participants (n=16; 9 men, 7 women) and participants with poliomyelitis (n=15, 8 men, 7 women) volunteered for the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Strength of the relationship (R(2) values) between RPE and Vo(2), heart rate, Ve and PO. RESULTS There were significantly higher values for maximum Vo(2) and maximum PO for able-bodied men compared with their counterparts with poliomyelitis (P<.05). However, when the data were controlled for age, there were no significant differences in these values (P>.05). Similar results were observed for the women who were able-bodied as well as for the women who had poliomyelitis (P>.05). The relationships between heart rate and RPE and Ve and RPE for able-bodied patients and patients with poliomyelitis were similar (R(2)>.87). The relationship between Vo(2) and RPE was stronger in the able-bodied participants compared wih the participants with poliomyelitis, regardless of sex (P<.05). However, when the data were controlled for age, there was no significant difference in the strength of this relationship between able-bodied participants and those with poliomyelitis, regardless of sex (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS RPE is strongly related to physiologic markers of exercise intensity during arm exercise, irrespective of sex or participants poliomyelitis status.

Prediction of peak oxygen uptake from ratings of perceived exertion during arm exercise in able-bodied and persons with poliomyelitis.

Study design:Each participant completed an arm-crank ramp exercise test to volitional exhaustion.Objective:To assess the utility of the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) to predict peak oxygen uptake ([Vdot ]O2peak) during arm ergometry in able-bodied participants and those with poliomyelitis.Setting:University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.Participants:In all, 16 able-bodied and 15 participants with poliomyelitis completed an arm-crank ramp exercise test to volitional exhaustion.Main outcome measures:The prediction of [Vdot ]O2peak is calculated by extrapolating the sub-maximal RPE and [Vdot ]O2 values by linear regression to RPE 20.Results:For the able-bodied participants, there were no significant differences between measured and predicted [Vdot ]O2peak from the three sub-maximal ranges of the RPE (RPEs before and including RPE 13, 15 and 17, P>0.05). For the participants with poliomyelitis, the [Vdot ]O2peak predicted from RPEs before and including RPE 13 was significantly higher than measured [Vdot ]O2max (P<0.05). The 95% limits of agreement of able-bodied participants for RPE 13, 15 and 17 (−3±14, −1±10 & 0±8 ml kg−1 min−1, respectively) were lower than those observed for poliomyelitis participants (6±19, 2±12 and 1±9 ml kg−1 min−1, respectively).Conclusion:This study has shown that the estimation of [Vdot ]O2peak from submaximal RPE during arm ergometry is generally more accurate in able-bodied participants in comparison with those with poliomyelitis.