title: Translation of Exercise Test Response to Training Intensity Using the Count Scale.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exercise testing is recommended before prescribing individualized exercise intensity. However, there are few data demonstrating how exercise test responses are translated into individualized training intensity using a simple method. We previously developed a simple method to rate dyspnea called the count scale, including the count scale number (CSN) and count scale time. The purpose of this study was to assess the CSN for translation of exercise test response to training intensity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-eight subjects (22 men and 6 women) with COPD age 66.6 ± 8.22 y participated in 2 exercise sessions. During the first session, in which exercise was guided by the heart rate, the CSN and heart rate were obtained (ie, CSN1 and HR1) while the heart rate was increased by 20% compared with the resting heart rate. During the second session, exercise was guided by the CSN. When the CSN was close to the CSN1, the CSN and corresponding heart rate were recorded as CSN2 and HR2. Differences between CSN1 and CSN2 and between HR1 and HR2 were compared. The relationship between HR1 and HR2 was analyzed. Agreement between HR1 and HR2 was evaluated by Bland-Altman plots.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences were seen between HR1 and HR2 (96 ± 11 and 97 ± 11, respectively; P = .14). A high correlation between HR1 and HR2 was found (r = 0.932, P < .001). The 95% CI for the difference between HR1 and HR2 was -1.2 to 8.5 beats/min.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exercise guided by the CSN alone could result in a given heart rate response, suggesting that the CSN is a simple and practical tool in translating exercise test results into individualized training intensity. With the CSN as the intensity indicator, patients can exercise safely and effectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. haoyanw@ccmu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Hao-Yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Fengtai Youanmen Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Miao
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Qiu-Fen
authors.initials: QF
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy
keywords: COPD; count scale; exercise intensity; exercise testing; exercise training