Affiliations 

  • 1 Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Medicine & Health, 2019;14(1):157-171.
MyJurnal

Abstract

Cardiopulmonary capacity should be evaluated accurately to determine exercise intolerance and training intensity of stroke survivors before an exercise rehabilitation programme is prescribed. However, no cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) is suitable because of the stroke victims’ physical impairment. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a new rowing-ramp protocol as a CPET for stroke survivors. Eleven stroke patients (6 male; 5 female; age, 45 + 16.01 years, performed two incremental exercise tests on a Concept II rowing ergometer to determine the peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak). Test-retest reliability for VO2 peak, measured 1-week apart, resulted in an intra-class correlation of 0.97 and 0.95, respectively. A linear regression equation was developed to predict the VO2 peak from final stage stroke power. Validity and reliability of the prediction equation were established. The regression equation for predicted VO2 peak was VO2 peak=11.429±+ 0.232 (Final Stage Stroke Power) + 12.63 (F=25.326, p