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Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans
Published on: October 17, 2018
Relation between maximum phonation time and exercise capacity in chronic heart failure patients
K P Izawa1, S Watanabe, S Tochimoto
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, St. Marianna University School of Medicine Hospital, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan. izawapk@ga2.so-net.ne.jp
Summary
Maximum phonation time (MPT) can estimate exercise capacity in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. A MPT of 18.27 seconds may identify individuals with adequate exercise capacity (≥5 METs).
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Chronic heart failure (CHF) patients often experience fatigue due to reduced peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2), a key indicator of exercise capacity.
- Maximum phonation time (MPT) is a practical, non-invasive measure of vocal ability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between MPT and exercise capacity in CHF outpatients.
- To determine the MPT threshold indicative of an exercise capacity of ≥5 metabolic equivalents (METs).
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 111 CHF outpatients.
- Exercise capacity was assessed using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) to measure peak VO2.
- Patients were categorized into groups based on exercise capacity (≥5 METs or <5 METs), and MPT was measured.
Main Results:
- CHF patients with exercise capacity ≥5 METs demonstrated significantly higher MPT compared to those with <5 METs (22.1±8.4s vs. 17.0±11.6s).
- Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis identified an MPT cutoff of 18.27 seconds for predicting exercise capacity ≥5 METs (AUC=0.81).
Conclusions:
- Significant differences in MPT exist relative to a ≥5 METs exercise capacity threshold in CHF outpatients.
- An MPT of 18.27 seconds appears to be an optimal cutoff for identifying CHF patients with exercise capacity of ≥5 METs.
- Measuring MPT offers a valuable method for estimating exercise capacity in this population, aiding clinical rehabilitation efforts.
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