Dr Danika Jurat¹

¹Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, Australia

Abstract:

Objective:

To determine if maximum heart rate and subsequent recovery time to baseline correlates with participant fitness by undertaking a Steady-state Cycle Test in the healthy adult population. Fitness will be determined by a combination of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and participant’s maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) during the Astrand-Rhyming Cycle Ergometer Test. If indicative, the Steady-state Cycle Test will then be trialled in the burn injury patient population. The Steady-state Cycle Test is proposed due to:

1. The submaximal nature of the test
2. Ease of test administration

iii.            Ease of result measurement

1. Reduction of heart rate confounders in a metabolic injury
2. Removal of the subjective nature of self-reported fitness evaluation

If the sole measure of heart rate is a successful indicator of fitness, this would be a simple and appropriate test to administer to patients on admission to the Burns Unit, allowing guidance on management and projected recovery.

Design: Observational study

Setting: State Burns Unit of Western Australia, Fiona Stanley Hospital

Subjects: Healthy adults aged between 18 and 65 years.

Intervention: 6 minute cycle test at 75 watts at 50 rpm.

Main measures:

• Maximum heart rate at the six minute mark of the Steady-state Cycle Test.
• Recovery time to baseline post completion of the Test.
• Fitness:

–              Self-reported as per the IPAQ.

–              Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) determined by the Astrand-Rhyming Ergometer Cycle test.

Results:

Hypothesized outcome: that participants who achieve a lower heart rate and faster time to recovery will have higher scores on the IPAQ and maximal oxygen uptake, indicating higher baseline fitness, regardless of age and gender.

Biography:

Danika is a third year resident medical officer at Fiona Stanley Hospital with a keen interest in Plastic Surgery, particularly Burns.