Article

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing can be considered the gold standard
for assessing cardiorespiratory fitness. Little is known about the criteria for
maximal exercise testing in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and how these
criteria behave across different levels of neurological disability.
The study objectives were to determine the criteria for maximal exercise testing
across various levels of disability and to assess concomitant subgroup
differences in measures related to the participant, disease, and function.
DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. METHODS: Cardiopulmonary exercise
testing was conducted with a sample of 56 participants with MS. Analysis of
variance was used to assess the criteria in participants with MS and low, mild,
and moderate levels of disability. RESULTS: Mean peak oxygen consumption
(Vo2peak) was 21.4 (SD=7.1) mL.kg(-1).min(-1). An oxygen consumption (Vo2)
plateau was seen in 37.5% of participants. A respiratory exchange ratio of 1.10
or greater was achieved by 69.6% of the participants, a maximal heart rate within
90% of their age-predicted maximal heart rate was achieved by 48.2% of the
participants, and 23.2% of the participants perceived their exertion to be 18 or
greater on the Borg Scale of Perceived Exertion (scores of 6-20). The values for
achieved heart rate and incidence of a Vo2 plateau were significantly lower in
participants with moderate levels of disability than in those with mild levels of
disability. LIMITATIONS: The primary limitations of this study were its
cross-sectional nature and relatively small sample of participants with moderate
levels of disability. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the outcome of
cardiopulmonary exercise testing in people with MS and low to mild levels of
disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale scores of </=4.0) is a valid measure
of cardiorespiratory fitness, whereas the outcome in people with moderate levels
of disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale scores of >4.0) is most likely
symptom limited.
CI - (c) 2014 American Physical Therapy Association.

Langue : ANGLAIS