Exercise Stress Testing Persons with Neurologic Impairment: Results of Four Different Modalities in Multiple Sclerosis

Four persons with varying degrees of disability due to multiple sclerosis (MS) were stress tested on four different exercise modalities—treadmill, stationary cycle, arm crank, and arm plus leg ergometer. Oxygen consumption, workload, heart rate, and rate-pressure product were highest when the arm plus leg ergometer was used. The strenuousness of the exercise seemed less when carried out by the larger muscle mass of arms plus legs than when exercised using arms or legs alone. The results thus suggested that, of the methods tested, use of arm plus leg ergometry may afford the best evaluation of fitness and cardiopulmonary status.