Feasibility, criterion validity and retest reliability of exercise testing using the Astrand-rhyming test protocol with an adaptive ergometer in stroke patients.

Purpose: (i) to establish feasibility of the Astrand-Rhyming submaximal protocol using the adaptive ergometer in healthy participants, (ii) to test feasibility of this protocol in stroke patients, (iii) to identify clinical characteristics of stroke patients which limit testing, (iv) to establish criterion validity of V·O(2 steady state) ergometry data against the gold standard open-circuit spirometry measure and, lastly, (v) to test-retest reliability of the data generated by the test protocol.

Methods: A descriptive, cross sectional study design was implemented. Ten healthy participants (5 men, mean age 32 ± 6.