A 3-minute recumbent stepper test in chronic stroke

Abstract

Background: Persons with stroke often have difficulty achieving target heart rate (HR) during graded exercise testing (GXT), which is known to limit test sensitivity for detecting clinically relevant cardiac conditions. A novel Recumbent Stepper 3-minute (RS 3Min) “all out” test may increase sensitivity of stress testing after stroke. Objective: To determine the feasibility of adding the RS 3Min test after GXT among persons after stroke. Design: A within-participant, nonrandomized, repeated measures design. Setting: Rehabilitation research laboratory and cardiovascular stress laboratory. Participants: Fifteen participants with chronic stroke (56.7 ± 9.6 years; 6.4 ± 4.3 years post stroke; 8 male). Interventions: All participants randomly completed (1) a symptom-limited treadmill GXT and (2) a symptom-limited RS GXT followed by RS 3Min critical power test. Main Outcome Measures: HR, ratings of perceived exertion, oxygen consumption, respiratory exchange ratio, and power output measured continuously during each test. Blood pressure measured every 2 minutes and or immediately post exercise. P value set at p