Article

Mesure de l'aptitude physique des amputés des membres inférieurs
The measurement of physical fitness of lower limb amputees is difficult, as the
commonly used ergometer tests have limitations. A combined arm-leg (Cruiser)
ergometer might be valuable. The aim of this study was to establish the
repeatability and validity of the combined arm-leg (Cruiser) ergometer. Thirty
healthy volunteers carried out three incremental exercise tests, once on the
bicycle ergometer and twice on the Cruiser ergometer. The repeatability of the
Cruiser ergometer was assessed by studying the mean values of the test-retest and
the validity by studying the mean values of the bicycle and the two Cruiser
ergometer tests. The intraclass correlation coefficient for repeated measurements
on the Cruiser ergometer was 0.84 for the maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max),
and 0.71 for the maximal heart rate (HRmax). The intraclass correlation
coefficient for the measurements on the bicycle ergometer and the Cruiser
ergometer was 0.86 for the VO2max and 0.73 for HRmax. Bland and Altman plots for
VO2max and HRmax showed a bias close to zero and a great accuracy. The conclusion
of this study is that the Cruiser ergometer provides a repeatable and valid
measurement of physical fitness in healthy volunteers. Its value in clinical
practice for lower limb amputees needs to be further established.

Langue : ANGLAIS