Exercise Stress Electrocardiography Using the Two-Minute Jump Test in Children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Exercise Physiology
• Diagnostic Testing

Background:

• Traditional exercise stress tests like treadmill and cycle ergometry are challenging for pediatric populations.
• A need exists for simple, safe, and effective exercise tests suitable for children undergoing cardiac evaluations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility and safety of the 2-minute jump test (2MJT) as an alternative exercise stress electrocardiography (ECG) test for children.
• To determine if the 2MJT can induce a sufficient heart rate (HR) increase in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

• One hundred pediatric patients (average age 10.7 years) underwent a 2-minute jump test (2MJT) with continuous ECG monitoring.
• Resting and peak heart rate (HR), ECG changes, and adverse events were recorded during and after the 2MJT.
• The number of jumps and HR response were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Patients performed an average of 185 jumps in 2 minutes, significantly increasing HR from 76±13 bpm at rest to 172±18 bpm at peak.
• Ninety percent of participants achieved the target HR of >150 bpm.
• Five patients experienced transient, self-resolving abnormal ECG findings (extrasystoles, AV block) during recovery.

Conclusions:

• The 2-minute jump test (2MJT) is a practical and safe exercise modality for children.
• The 2MJT effectively increases heart rate in a short duration, making it a valuable tool for pediatric exercise stress ECG testing.