Posted on 4th Dec 2008 @ 1:49 PM

Pulse Oximetry a must for Initial Exercise Testing            

As we know, by its nature exercise puts the body under increased stress, leading to an increased heart rate, respiration rate and body temperature. These feelings of stress will exacerbate any underlying cardiovascular problems.

Any exercise professional who intends to prescribe an exercise regime will have to conduct some initial measurements, firstly so that the exercise they prescribe is specific to the individual needs of the client and most importantly so that the exercise prescribed is safe. However, the measuring of resting heart rate, blood pressure and the filling out of a PAR-Q will not tell the full story, relating to clients suitability to exercise.

During exercise, dyspnea (shortness of breath) or above average heart rate for the intensity of exercise being performed, can be related to hypoxaemia, the deficiency of dissolved oxygen in the blood. An exercise professional who is unaware of hypoxaemia in a client, could blame his/hers inability to exercise at the intensity required on simply being “unfit” and continue the exercise, placing unnecessary and dangerous strain on the clients cardiovascular system.

During initial exercise testing it is desirable to monitor the arterial oxygen saturation of haemoglobin, especially in sedentary populations and those with cardiovascular diseases.

Pulse Oximetry is an extremely simple, non-invasive, method to monitor the percentage of haemoglobin (Hb) which is saturated with oxygen. The availability of a product such as SportStat, means the exercise professional can work in the increased knowledge that the exercise they are prescribing is safe and will have the desired effects. 

Sportstat Digital Fingertip Pulse Oximeter - NON001