Translation of Submaximal Exercise Test Responses to Exercise Prescription Using the Talk Test

Abstract

The exercise intensity at the Talk Test (TT) has been shown to be highly correlated with objective physiological markers, a useful outcome marker in patients with heart disease, a useful tool for avoiding exertional ischemia, and responsive to both positive and negative changes in exercise capacity. This randomized observational study evaluated the ability of the intensity at the TT during exercise testing to define absolute training workloads. Sedentary adults (n = 14) performed an incremental Balke type exercise test (3.0-3.5 mph at 0% grade, +2% grade every 2 minutes). Heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and TT were evaluated at each stage. Subsequently, the subjects performed 3 x 20-minute exercise bouts with the workload over the last 10 minutes of each bout equal to the absolute intensity at the stage preceding the LP (LP-1), at the last positive stage of the TT (LP), and at the first equivocal stage of the TT (EQ). During LP-1, LP, and EQ, HR was 140 +/- 23, 151 +/- 20, and 160 +/- 21 bpm, or 73 +/- 11, 79 +/- 9, and 82 +/- 9 % HRmax; RPE (CR scale) was 3.6 +/- 1.5, 4.4 +/- 1.8, and 6.3 +/- 2.2. The TT Score-ranked as 1 = comfortable speech, 2 = slightly uncomfortable speech, and 3 = speech not comfortable-was 1.4 +/- 0.5, 1.8 +/- 0.4, and 2.6 +/- 0.5 LP-1, LP, and at EQ, LP, respectively. The results suggest that to prescribe absolute training intensity from the TT and to get appropriate HR, RPE, and TT responses in sedentary individuals during training, the workload needs to be based on the intensity approximately 1 stage (approximately 1.0-1.2 metabolic equivalents) below the LP stage observed during an incremental test.

Association of the Weekly Practice of Guided Physical Activity With the Reduction of Falls and Symptoms of Fibromyalgia in Adult Women

“…included aerobic exercise on land or water, of at least 1 hour per session, with an intensity of 55-90% of maximum heart rate equation of Tanaka et al (36) and with positive "talk test" results (10).…”

The talk test

“…An advantage of the CTT is that it can be used to define low, moderate and vigorous intensity exercise [14], as speech is possible from rest to moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise. To prescribe exercise intensity from the talk test and obtain desired HR and RPE responses, the workload may need to be based on the exercise intensity one stage below the last positive talk test stage [21]. To prescribe exercise intensity from the talk test and obtain desired HR and RPE responses, the workload may need to be based on the exercise intensity one stage below the last positive talk test stage [21].…”

Recumbent Stepper Submaximal Exercise Test to Predict Peak Oxygen Uptake

“…However, there are well-known limitations associated with maximal exercise testing such as expensive equipment and trained personnel, motivation of the participant to meet VO 2 max criterion, early onset of fatigue, physician availability for at-risk populations and exercise device (1, 6, 8–10, 13, 14, 21). Assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness and response to varying levels of exercise intensity is important and should be considered prior to the start of an exercise rehabilitation program.…”