Relationship between the talk test and the ischemic threshold

Abstract

The Talk Test (TT) has: been shown to be associated with intensities within ACSM guidelines for exercise training, and very close to the ventilatory threshold (VT). VT often precedes the ECG ischemic threshold (Eur Heart J 1995;16:623), and complications during exercise occur when the ischemic threshold is exceeded. Therefore, the TT may be an effective way to avoid myocardial ischemia during exercise training. Patients recited a standard paragraph during incremental exercise. The time, HR, and RPP of those demonstrating ST changes (the first evidence of ischemia (ISCH)) were compared to the 3 stages of the TT (I can speak comfortably = + TT, I'm not sure = +/- TT, and I can't speak comfortably = -TT).