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Background: Although the initial anaerobic component of exercise adaptation is unavoidable, no specific functional test is available for use in routine non-sporting practice to evaluate it., Objective: To assess the bioenergetic and biomechanical properties of the Short and Fast Step Test (SFST), which consists of walking up and down a step as many times as possible in 1minute and to analyse its ability to explore the initial anaerobic component of effort in comparison to a reference self-paced step test., Methods: Overall, 31 healthy subjects (19 women; mean [SD] age, 32.4 [10.2] years) completed a test-retest of a self-paced step test and the SFST, with pre- and post-test measurement of blood lactate concentration and continuous recording of VO 2 and modelling of excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) of the quadriceps and mechanical power (estimated by the number of steps climbed and 3-D motion analysis)., Results: Both step tests were well tolerated. The reliability of the bioenergetics parameters, number of raised steps, mechanical power and NIRS tissue saturation index was good. Indirect mechanical power (estimated from number of steps) was correlated with direct power (computed from the centre of mass). Lactate accumulation was significantly increased during exercise with only the SFST (mean [SD] increase, 3.86 [3.26]mmolL -1 from resting values, P<0.05). EPOC was higher with the SFST than the self-paced step test (P<0.05). Only the SFST showed significant correlations between number of steps climbed and EPOC (r=0.84; P<0.001) and decreased tissue saturation index (NIRS) and EPOC area (r=-0.39; P<0.05)., Conclusions: SFST is feasible, well tolerated, reliable and responsive to explore a brief exercise involving anaerobic metabolism at submaximal intensity. The number of steps taken in 1minute seems a suitable parameter for practical application., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Exercise training, associated with therapeutic education, is the main axis of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs. The aim of this study was to review the literature for descriptions of the various assessments of exercise tolerance used to prescribe exercise intensity during CR. A secondary objective was to attempt to formulate a rational practice with these assessments in CR programs., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: There is ambiguity concerning the walk tests available for functional assessment of coronary patients, particularly for the walking speed. This study explores the psychometric properties of two walking tests, based on fixed-distance tests, at comfortable and fast velocity, in stabilized patients at the end of a cardiac rehabilitation program., Methods: At a three-day interval 58 coronary patients (mean age of 64.85±6.03 years, 50 men) performed three walk tests, the first two at a comfortable speed in a random order (6-minute walk test - 6MWT - and 400-metre comfortable walk test - 400mCWT) and the third at a brisk speed (200-metre fast walk test - 200mFWT). A modified Bruce treadmill test was associated at the end of the second phase. Monitored main parameters were: heart rate, walking velocity, VO 2 ., Results: Tolerance to the 3 tests was satisfactory. The reliability of the main parameters was good (intraclass correlation coefficient>0.8). The VO 2 concerning 6MWT and 400mCWT were not significantly different (P=0.33) and were lower to the first ventilatory threshold determined by the stress test (P<0.001): 16.2±3.0 vs. 16.5±2.6 vs. 20.7±5.1mL·min -1 ·kg -1 respectively. The VO 2 of the 200mFWT (20.2±3.7) was not different from the first ventilatory threshold., Conclusions: 400mCWT and 200mFWT are feasible, well-tolerated and reliable. They explore two levels of effort intensity (lower and not different to the first ventilatory threshold respectively). 400mCWT is a possible alternative to 6MWT. Associated with 200mFWT it should allow a better measurement of physical capacities and better customization of exercise training., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)