COMPARISON OF THREE EXERCISE DEVICES FOR THE ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC STRESS TEST

The Master two-step test, Harvard step test, and the bicycle ergometer have particular features that are useful in testing different groups of patients. In order to have interchangeability of these tests, it is necessary to determine work loads that are equivalent and to consider the factors that influence physiological stress. This report describes the relationship of net oxygen consumption and external work, and graphs are included from which comparison of the oxygen cost of work tasks can be obtained. The oxygen cost of the double Master test was found to be less than for the lowest practical level of work of the Harvard step test. The 20 steps per minute rate on the Harvard step device was found to be essentially the same as the 150 watt load on the Lanooy ergometer. For the military population with a more uniform, muscular physique, adjusting the exercise load according to weight may introduce variability of stress rather than eliminate it. (Author) See also AD-619 748.