Relationship between the talk test and ventilatory threshold in cardiac patients

Abstract

The Talk Test (TT) is a subjective method of prescribing exercise intensity. Previous studies have demonstrated that TT relates to the ventilatory threshold (VT) and can be used to prescribe intensity levels in healthy individuals. This study extends evaluation of TT to patients with stable cardiovascular disease. Each subject (N = 10) completed two maximal exercise tests. One test used gas analysis to determine VT. The second test was identical but in this one TT was administered. Outcomes at VT versus TT were compared. There was a significant difference in V& and HR between VT and the negative stage of TT @ < 0.05). There was a good correlation for VOz at VT and all stages of 'IT. We conclude that when subjects were at the last positive or equivocal stage of TT that they were either at or below their VT. When subjects were at the negative stage of TT, they were above their VT and above an appropriate exercise intensity. Thus, TT appears to be a valid subjective measure of exercise intensity to guide exercise prescription in patients with clinically stable cardiovascular disease.