title: [Is stairclimbing a maximal exercise test for COPD patients?].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Variable tests evaluate the cardio-respiratory working capacity of COPD patients. Stairclimbing testing has been less studied. Our hypothesis is that this functional exercise test represents a submaximal effort for these patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared in 10 COPD patients the main metabolic and ventilatory parameters at the end of an effort between stairclimbing and cycle ergometer test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The following parameters studied (RER, V'CO2, lactates, V'E) are significantly lower for stair climbing. Nevertheless, in 8 patients, the V'O2 at the end of the stairclimbing testing is equal to the cycle ergometer test and in two patients superior. Concerning the evolution of some parameters during stairclimbing, 2 distinct profiles were observed: stabilization of the V'O2, HR, V'E and Vt (6/10 patients) or a constant increase of those parameters (4/10 patients).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stairclimbing represents a submaximal effort for the majority of COPD patients combined with a high metabolic cost. However, some COPD patients execute a maximal effort like in the cycle ergometer test when climbing stairs. These two groups could not be differentiated with the rest lung function data. The hypothesis of different mechanical constraints and/or motivation is suggested.
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHU Saint-Pierre, EFR-322, rue haute, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgique. Electronic address: achirumb@ulb.ac.be.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chirumberro
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHU Saint-Pierre, EFR-322, rue haute, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgique.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ferrali
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHU Saint-Pierre, EFR-322, rue haute, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgique.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vermeulen
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHU Saint-Pierre, EFR-322, rue haute, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgique.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sergysels
mesh_terms: D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: BPCO; COPD; Comparaison; Comparison; Cycle ergometer test; Metabolic and ventilatory parameters; Paramètres métaboliques et ventilatoires; Stairclimbing testing; Test d’escalier; Épreuve sur cyclo-ergomètre