Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Journal

Current Issue

October 2018 - Volume 29 - Issue 4

Editor-in-Chief: Sean M. Collins, PT, ScD
ISSN: 1541-7891
Online ISSN: 2374-8907
Frequency: Quarterly

About this Issue

In this issue of CPTJ we are pleased to bring the annual CSM Linda Crane Lecture, three original research reports. Gurovich et al report on their original research to determine whether clinical markers of exercise intensity, such as heart rate and rate of perceived exertion, reflect physiological demands, measured via blood lactate levels, during a graded exercise test (GXT) in cardiac patients. Their findings are very interesting and raise interesting questions about clinical practice.

To help us consider these questions the issue also includes a commentary by CPTJ Associate Editor, Dr. Michael Shoemaker. Larsen at al present a systematic review and meta-analysis that compares physical fitness and cardiopulmonary exercise test performance using arm versus leg cycling in patients with cardiovascular or pulmonary disease. Arm cycling seems to offer an important alternative form of exercise testing for patients however, with this mode of testing clinicians must consider that VO2 max values obtained from arm cycling are lower than those achieved with leg cycling.A great clinical feature of this meta-analysis is the presentation of an evidence based estimation for the proportional differences between arm and leg VO2 max specifically for people with cardiac or pulmonary conditions.

Finally, Brown at al report on how body position affects ultrasonographic measurement of diaphragm contractility in healthy adults as an important step toward possible widespread clinical use of this imaging modality by physical therapists in patients with suspect impairments in diaphragm contractility.

Sean Collins, PT, ScD

Editor-in-Chief