Endurance Testing Health Article

Preparation

A thorough medical history is taken and all surgeries documented prior to administering an exercise test. Practitioners should inquire about current medications and any physical or cognitive limitations the individual may have. This alerts medical professionals to any underlying problems or possible complications. Other issues that should be considered when determining exercise testing protocol are the person's age, weight, nutritional status, mobility, assistive device use, and work environment.

To conduct an aerobic test, clinicians should ensure that the risk of injury is minimized. The client should be instructed how to properly perform exercises to avoid injury. Practitioners should keep in mind that an exercise test can be too stressful depending on the person's condition. Any medical professional involved in administering exercise testing should be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Proper monitoring depends on individual circumstances. Heart rate is typically measured before, during, and after any testing procedure. The 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKG) is monitored before the test and periodically throughout the test. Following the test, the EKG and blood pressure are measured again, and every one to two minutes subsequently until levels return to baseline.

Aftercare

Following completion of a treatment program for building strength and endurance, a client should be educated on a continuing treatment program to be done at home. Strength and endurance will wane if activity is not maintained.

Complications

Occupational and physical therapists in return-to-work programs must take into consideration that work simulation techniques don't entirely duplicate working conditions.

The type of activity performed may also affect endurance. A person may show less endurance when performing an activity that he or she finds unpleasant or perceives as useless. The most effective intervention and treatment programs are associated with clients performing tasks they enjoy or that reflect the individual's self-worth.

Health care team roles

Collaboration among all caregivers plays a big part in any kind of rehabilitation intervention. Referring physicians should communicate with the therapist about the client and what treatment is recommended. Social workers or mental health professionals involved with the client should also be apprised of interventions, because emotional problems could affect test outcomes.

BOOKS

Frontera, Walter R., ed. Exercise in Rehabilitation Medicine. Champaign, IL: Walter R. Frontera, David M. Dawson, and David M. Slovik, 1999.

Grabois, Martin, Susan J. Garrison, Karen A. Hart, and L. Don Lehmkuhl, eds. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, The Complete Approach. Houston, TX: Blackwell Science, Inc., 2000.

Reed, Kathlyn L., and Sharon Nelson Sanderson. Concepts of Occupational Therapy. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1999.

Shankar, Kamala. Exercise Prescription. Philadelphia: Hanley & Belfus, Inc., 1999.

PERIODICALS

Dean, Elizabeth, and Vanessa Noonan. "Submaximal Exercise Testing: Clinical Application and Interpretation." Physical Therapy 80 (August 2000): 782-807.

Dolecheck, Roy, Jesica and Janette K. Schkade. "The Extent Dynamic Standing Endurance is Effected [sic] When CVA Subjects Perform Personally Meaningful Activities Rather than Nonmeaningful Tasks." The Occupational Therapy Journal of Research 19 (Winter 1999): 40–54.

Lan, Ching, Jin-Shin Lai, Ssu-Yuan Chen, and May-Kuen Wong. "Tai Chi Chuan to Improve Muscular Strength and Endurance in Elderly Individuals: A Pilot Study." Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 81 (May 2000): 604–607.

Schramm, Donna Marie. "Applications of Physical and Occupational Therapy in Chronic Pain Syndrome."

Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation 55 (March/April 2001): 184–190.

Ting, W., J. Wessel, S. Brintnell, R. Maikala, and Y. Bhambhani. "Lifting Endurance in Healthy Men." American Journal of Occupational Therapy 50 (May 1996): 338–346.

ORGANIZATIONS

The American Occupational Therapy Association. 4720 Montgomery Lane, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. (301) 652-2682. <http://www.aota.org>.

The American Physical Therapy Association. 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-1488. (703) 684-2782. <http://www.apta.org>.

Meghan M. Gourley