Abstract des Autors

An isokinetic rowing ergometer (RE) with a fixed seat was used for upper body excercise testing. RE testing was prospectively randomized and compared with a standard supine bicycle ergometer (BE) test in 194 patients without disability of the lower extremities. The tests were performed starting at 25 W for 3 min with an increase of 25 W after every 3 min at each stage. During the 30 s break between the stages, ECG (I, III, aVF, V 4-6), heart rate (HR), and blood pressure were registered. Exercise was terminated because of exhaustion or common clinical criteria. The maximum work load was 9.32+/-22.1 W lower in RE (P-RE = 0.76 x P-BE + 12.88, r=0.79, p=0.008), maximum HR was 11.8+/-17.3/min higher in RE than in BE. Systolic RR was 22.4+/-29.1 mmHg lower in RE exercise. The heart rate pressure product was in comparable range for both types of exercise. The incidence of significant ST segment depression (RE:32/BE:34) revealed no difference between both tests. RE with fixed seat is comparable to supine BE and could be used as an alternative for upper body exercise. Verf.-Referat