Impact of ICARE Training Speed and Motor Assistance on Cardiovascular Response

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-2018

Abstract

Purpose: A motor-assisted elliptical, ICARE, is used to address walking and fitness goals; yet, only limited data guide understanding of the impact of ICARE training parameters (e.g., speed and motor assistance) on cardiovascular response. A repeated-measures design investigated the influence of 5 predetermined ICARE speeds (25, 35, 45, 55, and 65 revolutions per minute) and 2 motor-assistance levels (with and without assistance) on heart rate (HR), Borg ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and blood pressure (BP).

Methods: Ten healthy participants' HR, RPE, and BP were recorded during steady state Active Assist (ICARE's motor assisting leg movement) and Active Assist Plus exercise (without motor's assistance) at 5 speeds.

Results: Significant main effects on HR were documented for ICARE speed (F[4,36] = 77.313, P < .001) and motor assistance (F[1,36] = 224.813, P < .001), and an interaction (F[4,36] = 4.410, P = .005). Significant main effects on RPE were documented for speed (F[4,36] = 47.106, P < .001) and motor assistance (F[1,36] = 24.929, P < .001). Significant main effects on systolic BP were documented for speed (F[4,36] = 78.849, P < .001) and motor assistance (F[1,36] = 6.911, P = .027), and an interaction (F[4,36] = 5.695, P = .001). Only the main effect of motor assistance on diastolic BP was significant (F[1,36] = 7.917, P = .020).

Conclusions: Increases in ICARE speed and decreases in motor assistance contributed to clinically relevant increases in HR, RPE, and systolic BP in a cohort of young, nondisabled adults.

Publication Title

Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Journal

Volume

30

Issue

3

First Page

115

Last Page

122

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1097/cpt.0000000000000098

Language

en

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