Validity of Submaximal Exercise Testing in Adults With Athetospastic Cerebral Palsy

Satonaka A, Suzuki N, Kawamura M. Validity of submaximal exercise testing in adults with athetospastic cerebral palsy.ObjectiveTo examine the validity of the multistage submaximal cycle ergometer test for adults with athetospastic cerebral palsy.DesignCross-sectional and correlative study. Oxygen uptake and heart rates were recorded while the participants underwent the maximal cycle ergometer test and the multistage submaximal cycle ergometer test. Peak oxygen consumption (Vo2peak) was achieved by the maximal cycle test. Maximum oxygen consumption (V̇o2max) was predicted by the multistage submaximal cycle ergometer test.SettingResearch laboratory setting.ParticipantsAdults with athetospastic cerebral palsy (N=16; 10 women and 6 men; mean age ± SD, 43.7±14.5y).InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasurePeak Vo2 was compared with the predicted V̇o2max.ResultsMean Vo2peak and the predicted V̇o2max ± SD were 866.9±202.9mL/min−1 and 857.4±248.4mL/min−1, respectively. There was not a significant difference between Vo2peak values and the predicted V̇o2max values (r=.28). And there was a significant correlation between Vo2peak values and the predicted V̇o2max values (r=.94, P<.001). SE of the estimate (or SE for X to Y) was 71.2mL/min−1, equivalent to 7.4%.ConclusionsThe multistage submaximal cycle ergometer test may provide a valid V̇o2max estimate of adults with athetospastic cerebral palsy.