Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
Transcranial Pulse Stimulation for Alzheimer's Patients
Published on: April 4, 2025
Cardiorespiratory response to exercise testing in individuals with Alzheimer's disease
Sandra A Billinger1, Eric D Vidoni, Robyn A Honea
1Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, USA.
Objective:
To examine exercise testing response in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and possible disease-related change over time.
Design:
Retrospective assessment of a 2-year observational study.
Setting:
University medical center.
Participants:
Individuals without dementia (n=50) and with AD (n=31).
Interventions:
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures:
Participants underwent a clinical dementia evaluation and performed an incremental exercise test using a treadmill and the modified Bruce protocol at baseline and at a 2-year follow-up. We examined oxygen consumption, minute ventilation, heart rate, and ventilatory equivalents for oxygen and carbon dioxide at submaximal and peak exercise intensities to determine whether the measures were different between groups or over time.
Results:
Participants with AD and those without dementia performed similarly at submaximal effort, and both groups showed similar changes in exercise response over 2 years. However, nondemented individuals had consistently higher values of oxygen consumption (P≤.02) and minute ventilation at peak effort at baseline (P=.003).
Conclusions:
Individuals with AD demonstrate physiologic responses to submaximal exercise effort that are not significantly different than individuals without dementia. However, differences are apparent at the extreme of effort.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
01:26Exercise Stress Test
Exercise stress testing, commonly known as a treadmill test, is a noninvasive procedure used to evaluate cardiovascular function and diagnose heart conditions.
Definition
An exercise stress test measures the heart's response to exertion using a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Chest electrodes record the heart's electrical activity through an ECG, and blood pressure is monitored regularly.
Purposes
01:23Assessment of Respiration
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD,...
01:17Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...
01:26Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
01:22Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment