Relationship between the Talk Test and ventilatory threshold

DEHART, M. M. Relationship between the Talk Test and ventilatory threshold. MS in Adult Fitness/Cardiac Rehabilitation, December 1999, 42pp. (C. Foster) The Talk Test is a widely recommended form of prescribing exercise intensity, however very few studies have specifically evaluated its physiological validity. This study evaluated the relationship between the Talk Test and physiologic changes occurring with exercise. We examined healthy volunteers during incremental exercise. Each subject (N = 28) completed two maximal exercise tests. One test used gas analysis to identify ventilatory threshold (VT). The second was identical, except without respiratory measurements. During this test, the subject read a standard paragraph and reported whether or not they passed the Talk Test. Outcomes at VT and the last positive, positive/negative, and negative stages of the Talk Test were compared. There was a significant (p < .05) difference between VO2, % VO2peak, HR, and % HRpeak at VT and the positive stage of the Talk Test. There was no significant difference between any of the variables at VT and the positive/negative stage. There was a significant difference between all the outcomes at VT and the negative stage of the Talk Test. We conclude that when subjects could either talk comfortably or were equivocal, they were at or below their VT. Subjects clearly failing the Talk Test were consistently beyond their VT. Thus, the Talk Test is a valid subjective measure to guide exercise prescription.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TALK TEST AND VENTILATORY THRESHOLD A MANUSCRIPT STYLE THESIS PRESENTED TO THE GRADUATE FACULTY UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-LA CROSSE IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE BY MEHGAN DEHART DECEMBER 1999

COLLEGE OF HEALTH, PHYSICAL EDUCATION. AND RECREATION UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-LA CROSSE THESIS FINAL ORAL DEFENSE FORM Candidate: Mehgan M. Dehart We recommend acceptance of this thesis in partial fulfillment of this candidate's requirements for the degree: Master of Science in Adult Fitness/Cardiac Rehabilitation The candidate has successfully completed the thesis final oral defense. " _ 7C2 tt I C Itu t ' Thes ommittee Cha3person Signature Date Thesis Committee Member Signature Date / Thesis Committee Member$ignatur_ Date Thesis Committee Member Signature Date This thesis is approved by the College of Health, Physical Education. and Recreation. Associate Dean, Coege of Health. Date Physical Education, and Recreation Director of University Graduate Studies Date

The study examines the validity of the Talk Test in prescribing exercise intensity.