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The treadmill test is performed in order to establish whether there is an objective decrease in the maximum
walking distance. The results of the treadmill test are related to what is required in terms of work, household
activities, leisure activities and from the point of view of preventing cardiovascular diseases.
The literature describes 2 types of treadmill tests:
•
treadmill test with a
constant load
(constant speed of 3.2 km per hour and a fixed inclination of 7.5%).
•
treadmill test with a
progressive load
: the inclination is gradually increased, while the speed remains
constant (for example the inclination is increased by 3.5% every 3 minutes or by 2% every 2 minutes, while
the speed is set at 3-
3.5 km/h). Tests of this kind are also referred to as ‘graded’ tests.
Cachovan et al. investigated the reliability of the treadmill test when determining the pain-free walking distance
and the maximum walking distance. A distinction was made between treadmill tests with a constant load and
those with a progressive load. The
reproducibility
of both types of tests appears good. Research by Gardner et
al. has shown that the progressive load test on the treadmill is more reliable when it comes to determining the
seriousness of the peripheral arterial obstruction.
In order to provoke the claudication symptoms,
a treadmill test with a pr
ogressive (‘graded’) load is used in
practice. The Claudication test is performed at a constant speed of 3.2 km per hour and an inclination which is
increased by 2% every 2 minutes.
The Claudication test focuses on measuring:
•
the pain-free time and/or distance (= the time/distance at which the pain starts).
•
the maximum time or distance (= the time/distance at which the patient
has to
stop).
These parameters provide an indication of the seriousness of the condition.
When performing exertion tests, it is advisable to carry out a practice test (on a different day) before the actual
test. This practice test allows the patient to become familiar with the test procedure, test protocol and the
implementation of the test. Carrying out a practice test can considerably increase the reliability of the result.
During the test, the physiotherapist must remain alert to the occurrence of any complications, such as cardiac
strain and leg pain without a vascular cause. Physiotherapists are expected to recognise the signs of excessive
exertion without a cardiac or vascular cause.
The treadmill test is not only a tool for establishing whether there is an abnormal reduction in the exertion
capacity. The test is also used to examine how the patient deals with the symptoms and whether a subjective
reduction in the exertion capacity exists on the basis of inadequate pain coping or on the basis of fear (of
physical activity). In the case of inadequate pain coping, the patient is afraid of (the harmful consequences of)
the pain. In addition to inadequate pain coping, a fear of exertion may also exist. The fear of exertion may
inhibit the physical capacity.
The treadmill test also offers the possibility of measuring the ECG, blood pressure and subjective pain (ACSM
scale for pain in peripheral vascular disease, also known as the four-point scale) during the test.
Performing the Claudication test on the EN-Motion treadmill
The test can be carried out with or without a
heart-rate meter (see below).
Select the
Exertion tests
function using the
central controller
and press
OK
.
Now enter your personal details before
selecting from the list of available exertion
tests.
These details are used to calculate and
present the personal test results.
