Relationship between the talk test and ventilatory threshold in cardiac patients
Abstract
The Talk Test (TT) is a subjective method of prescribing exercise intensity. Previous
studies have demonstrated that TT relates to the ventilatory threshold (VT) and can be
used to prescribe intensity levels in healthy individuals. This study extends evaluation of
TT to patients with stable cardiovascular disease. Each subject (N = 10) completed two
maximal exercise tests. One test used gas analysis to determine VT. The second test was
identical but in this one TT was administered. Outcomes at VT versus TT were
compared. There was a significant difference in V& and HR between VT and the
negative stage of TT @ < 0.05). There was a good correlation for VOz at VT and all
stages of 'IT. We conclude that when subjects were at the last positive or equivocal stage
of TT that they were either at or below their VT. When subjects were at the negative
stage of TT, they were above their VT and above an appropriate exercise intensity. Thus,
TT appears to be a valid subjective measure of exercise intensity to guide exercise
prescription in patients with clinically stable cardiovascular disease.
Subject
Heart - Diseases - Patients - Rehabilitation
Anaerobiosis
Respiration - Measurement
Treadmill exercise tests - Physiological aspects