title: The Åstrand-Ryhming Test is not a Feasible Measure in Ambulatory Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
abstract: Ambulatory patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) show a decreased aerobic capacity which may hamper the ability to perform activities of daily living. A standardized measure, however, for assessing aerobic capacity in patients with ALS during the disease course, is lacking.
  
  
  
  To examine the feasibility of the Åstrand-Ryhming (ÅR) test protocol longitudinally in ambulatory patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
  
  
  
  Seven ambulatory male patients with spinal ALS onset were assessed at baseline and at 4, 7 and 10 months' follow-up. Feasibility of the ÅR test protocol was analysed using percentage of: a) completed ÅR tests; b) achieved steady states; and c) predefined heart rates.
  
  
  
  Test completion decreased from 7/7 at baseline to 10/21 at follow-up due to ALS-related symptoms as fatigue, muscle weakness and cramps. Steady states and predefined heart rates were achieved in 12/17 and 17/17 of the completed tests, respectively. Overall, the feasibility of the ÅR test protocol declines from 5/7 at baseline to 7/21 at follow-up.
  
  
  
  The results suggest that changes in aerobic capacity in ambulatory patients with ALS could not be successfully monitored due to a diminished feasibility of the ÅR test protocol.
authors.affiliation: Brain Center Rudolf Magnus and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands.|Department of Rehabilitation, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Annerieke C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: van Groenestijn
authors.affiliation: Brain Center Rudolf Magnus and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Verschuren
authors.affiliation: Brain Center Rudolf Magnus and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Carin D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Schröder
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Leonard H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: van den Berg
authors.affiliation: Brain Center Rudolf Magnus and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Johanna M A
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Visser-Meily
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015444:Exercise; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption
keywords: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; aerobic capacity; exercise test; outcome measure; physical fitness