Cosmed Quark PFT, Manual

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126 - Quark PFT User Manual
Introduction
Several physiological responses to exercise are used to evaluate cardiorespiratory
fitness, including oxygen consumption, heart rate, and blood pressure. Measuring these
variables during exercise, particularly maximum exercise, increase the chance of
detecting any coronary artery disease or pulmonary disease.
Unfortunately, maximum exercise tests are impractical because they are expensive,
require extensive clinical supervision, and subject individuals to levels of physical stress
that may be unnecessary depending on the objectives of the test. Consequently,
maximal testing is reserved for clinical assessments, athletic evaluation, and research.
A sub-maximal exercise test costs less and carries a lower risk for the individual.
Although less sensitive and specific for detecting disease or estimating maximal oxygen
consumption, correctly performed sub-maximal tests can provide a valid estimate of
cardiorespiratory fitness.
Pre-test screening
Pre-test health screening is essential for risk stratification and for determining the type
of test that should be performed and the need for an exercise test prior to exercise
training. A thorough pretest health screening includes the following:
•
Complete medical history
• Medical contraindications to exercise
•
Symptoms suggesting cardiac or pulmonary disease
•
Angina or other forms of discomfort at rest or during exercise
•
Unusual shortness of breath at rest or during exercise
•
Dizziness or light-headedness
•
Orthopaedic complications that may prevent adequate effort or compromise the
validity of test results
•
Other unusual signs or symptoms that may preclude testing
•
Risk factors for coronary heart disease
•
History of major cardiorespiratory events
•
Current medications
•
Activity patterns
•
Nutritional habits
• Reading and signing an informed consent form