[Utility of cycle ergometer stress testing as a measure to assess health status and physical functioning for elderly...

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of abnormal cardiovascular findings for elderly persons on exercise stress testing, and examine the relationship between exercise capacity estimated by the test and other physical functions or self-rated functional capacity cross-sectionally.

Participants of this study were 83 elderly persons (24 males and 59 females, mean age, 80 years old) who were planning to undergo a falls prevention program. A questionnaire asking about functional capacity, physical functional testing (maximum stride length, maximum speed walking for 10 meters, one leg standing time, and grip strength), and cycle ergometer exercise stress testing were applied. The initial work load of exercise testing was 15 watts, and this was progressively increased by 15 watts every 3 minutes. Exercise capacity was estimated with reference to working time and subjects were divided into tertiles for each gender. Comparisons of physical functional testing and self-rated functional capacity among the groups were then performed.

Of 83 participants, 65 subjects (78.3%) could complete the exercise stress testing. Next to leg fatigue (46%), blood pressure elevation (26.2%) was the most common reason for termination of the test. No evidence of ischemia was found in any subject during exercise stress testing. The values for walking speed and walking pitch were highest among male participants in the third (uppermost) tertile group with statistical significance. In addition, the value for one foot standing time was highest among female participants in the third tertile group, again with statistical significance. Regarding self-rated functional capacity, the rates for subjects who reported being able to rise from a seat in a vehicle, jump over a puddle, and step on an escalator were highest among female participants in the third tertile group, with statistical significance, whereas no significant differences were seen among male participants. No one suffered falls in the previous one year in either gender in the third tertile group.

As the major finding, higher exercise capacity mainly for lower-extremity work, was associated with better physical functions and self-rated functional capacity.