Content » Vol 49, Issue 4

Review article

Anaerobic exercise testing in rehabilitation: A systematic review of available tests and protocols

Leonie A. Krops, Trijntje Albada, Lucas H.V. van der Woude, Juha M. Hijmans, Rienk Dekker
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, NL-9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. E-mail: l.a.krops@umcg.nl
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2213

Abstract

Objective: Anaerobic capacity assessment in rehabilitation has received increasing scientific attention in recent years. However, anaerobic capacity is not tested consistently in clinical rehabilitation practice. This study reviews tests and protocols for anaerobic capacity in adults with various disabilities (spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, cerebral vascular accident, lower-limb amputation(s)) and (able-bodied) wheelchair users.
Data sources: PubMed, CINAHL and Web of Science.
Study selection: Papers were screened by 2 independent assessors, and were included when anaerobic exercise tests were performed on the above-selected subject groups.
Data extraction: Included articles were checked for methodological quality.
Data synthesis: A total of 57 papers was included. Upper-body testing [56 protocols] was conducted with arm crank [16] and wheelchair tests [40]. With a few [2] exceptions, modified Wingate (Wingate) protocols and wheelchair sprint tests dominated upper-body anaerobic testing. In lower-body anaerobic work [11], bicycle [3] and recumbent [1], and overground tests [7] were used, in which Wingate, sprint or jump protocols were employed.
Conclusion: When equipment is available a Wingate protocol is advised for assessment of anaerobic capacity in rehabilitation. When equipment is not avail-able a 20–45 s sprint test is a good alternative. Future research should focus on standardized tests and protocols specific to different disability groups.

Lay Abstract

Measurement of physical capacity of short-duration high-intensity exercise in persons with a locomotor disability in rehabilitation.
Persons with a locomotor disability, wheelchair dependent or not, experience high physical strains of daily activities. These activities are often limited to short-duration high-intensity activities. In order to understand their capacity for these short-duration high-intensity exercises, as well as to protocolize adequate training schedules, standardised and valid testing methods are required already in early rehabilitation. From existing literature it was found that Wingate protocols are most appropriate. A Wingate protocol is a protocol of fixed time, during which patients have to propel a bicycle or wheelchair ergometer against a fixed resistance. When the equipment for a Wingate protocol is not available, a 20-45 seconds lasting sprint test, either in a wheelchair or walking, without added resistance, is a good alternative. More research is needed to describe guidelines on the protocols adapted to the different disability groups.

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