Validação de um teste de esforço alternativo ao teste convencional de esteira utilizando um protótipo de cadeira de rodas

Abstract

Objective: Obtain equivalence of electrocardiogram signals with emphasis on the ST segment during ergometric tests performed on a conventional treadmill and an ergonomic wheelchair prototype, when the submaximal or maximal heart rate is reached. As well as doing secondary analysis of metabolic/physiological parameters and subjective perception of effort. Method: A cross sectional study was performed with healthy volunteers who showed no sign of impaired mobility. They were submitted to a stress test on a conventional treadmill (BRUCE protocol) and a stress test (Wingate protocol) on a stationary wheelchair prototype (ERGO1). Results: Twentythree volunteers, mostly males (n=17; 73,9%), with an average age of 39,74 ± 10,75 years old, and an average body mass index (BMI) of 26,40 ± 2,77 Kg/m² met the inclusion criteria. During the stress stage, there was correlation of the ST segment's behavior, with two (8,7%) volunteers presenting suggestive alterations of ischemia. There were no differences between the tests related to: resting HR 82,0 ±13,16bpm vs. 81,65 ± 16,06bpm (p=0,820) and maximum HR 172,34 ± 22,27bpm vs. 166,26 ± 13,67 bpm (p=0,131). Higher percentage values to reach the maximum HR were observed on the treadmill test: 96,95 ± 6,13% vs. 92,17 ± 5,80% (p=0,002). Higher values in the subjective perception of effort 7,39 ± 1,77 vs. 6,52 ± 1,53 (p=0,016) and lower execution time 498,78 ± 90,87 vs 898,26 ± 123,64s (p=0,001) were registered on ERGO1. Conclusion: The exercise test performed on the ERGO1 wheelchair prototype, applying the Wingate protocol, is equivalent to that performed on a conventional treadmill through an analysis of the ST segment on effective tests. Secondary aspects observed on ERGO1 were higher scores on the effort perception scale, lower percentage values to achieve maximum HR, and less time spent to perform the tests.