[Cardiovascular risks during isokinetic tests for peripheral functional studies].

OBJECTIVES

Isokinetic tests used to assess both muscle function and joint disorders stimulate the entire organism and in particular the cardiovascular system. We evaluated the risk of cardiovascular or vascular impairment during isokinetic knee extension and flexion tests.

METHODS

Cardiac electrical activity, heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured in 251 patients during 50-sec isokinetic tests.

RESULTS

Abnormal findings were recorded in 15 patients (5.9%) including 6 with altered blood pressure, 4 with altered cardiac electrical activity and 5 with heart rate abnormalities. Maximal heart rate for a given subject recorded during the isokinetic test was 199 beats per minute and heart rate exceeded 190 bpm in 92 subjects (36.6%). Maximal efforts with cardiac barometric charge produced dramatic, occasionally pathological, changes in heart rate or blood pressure.

CONCLUSION

These findings emphasize the need to carefully assess patients before isokinetic tests and carefully monitor cardiovascular parameters. A preliminary physical examination and medical surveillance during testing are required.