Evaluation of a Protocol to Measure the Total Heart Beat Index in Research and Clinical Environments

Abstract

Energy expenditure has been proposed for the evaluation of rehabilitation treatments. Traditionally it has been estimated by oxygen uptake and the use of spirometry. However, this method is not often appropriate for the clinical environment given that the equipment is cumbersome and may affect the results of the measurements by causing discomfort to the person. Indices based on heart rate have been proposed as alternatives. One of those indices is the Total Heart Beat Index (THBI). The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate a protocol to measure THBI in a research environment and in a clinical environment. For this, measurements were performed in ten young adults in a training area (research environment) and three older adults in a clinical environment. Heart rate was measured continuously while participants walked in a 8 shape walkway. The results showed results similar to those reported in the literature, with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) larger than 0.8. The protocol was feasible to be used in both environments and it was a simple to use, relatively low cost and portable tool for estimating energy expenditure.