The stress test, also known as ergometry, is a test that everyone who practices physical activity, regardless of the sport they practice and their level, should undergo at least once every few years.

It is also very important to perform a stress test in all those people who are undergoing cardiovascular rehabilitation, to ensure the good evolution of their process.

What does the stress test consist of?

Before starting the test, we conduct an interview with the patient to assess his or her clinical and sports history. We then measure oxygen saturation levels and blood pressure at rest and place a series of electrodes around the heart on its various sides to monitor cardiac activity during the test by means of an electrocardiogram.

It is possible to perform the test on a treadmill or on an exercise bike. Depending on the sport practiced by the patient or his needs, we will choose one or the other.

For high-performance athletes, we recommend doing it on a treadmill, since it allows us to reach a higher heart rate.

The test lasts about 15-20 minutes, although it depends on the protocol we decide to apply. We will start with a gentle intensity that we will progressively increase from time to time to see how the heart reacts until we reach the maximum effort or maximum heart rate.

Conventional stress test

Includes:

Interview with the patient to assess his/her medical and sports history

Physical and cardiorespiratory examination

Resting and stress electrocardiograms

Personalized medical report

Specific sports medical certificate for the practice of federated sports and/or specific tests (upon request).

Stress test with gas analysis

In the gas stress test we place a mask on the patient that allows us to analyze respiration (oxygen inspired and CO2 expelled as well as the amount of air mobilized).

Includes:

Interview with the patient to assess his/her medical and sports history

Physical and cardiorespiratory examination

Resting and stress electrocardiograms

Personalized medical report

Specific sports medical certificate for the practice of federated sports and/or specific tests (upon request).

Cardiorespiratory and metabolic parameters

The gas stress test also provides us with additional physiological information that we can use to prepare our training sessions.

Maximum heart rate

Thanks to it we can calculate the training loads in % of heart rate or know at what speed we will reach our maximum running frequency.

VO2 max

Maximum consumption of oxygen that our body can process. The higher the volume, the greater the capacity of physical endurance to long duration efforts. Thanks to this data we can know our level of aerobic endurance.

Aerobic threshold (VTh1)

It provides information such as the number of beats per minute and the speed we use from which changes begin to occur in our body. Below these intensity levels we do not generate any improvement in our performance. For you to understand it better, it is the speed with which we feel comfortable training and with which we can last for a long time.

Anaerobic threshold (VTh2)

At this point the oxygen supply begins to be insufficient in relation to its demand and we begin to notice fatigue and increase lactic acid in our body. The heart rate will be between 80 – 85% of our maximum heart rate, although it depends on our physical shape.

Thanks to this data, we can make an approximation of the maximum speed at which we can run without accumulating fatigue, or at what pace we can start quality training.

VE (Maximum ventilation L/MIN)

This is the amount of air mobilized during maximum effort, which will give us an idea of the lung capacity available to us.

Lactic acid

By means of a small puncture in the earlobe or fingertip, we can determine the lactic acid, to know the degree of acidity of our body depending on the intensity of work. This is a very important data to be able to analyze it together with the trainer or the athlete himself, to perfectly adapt the training loads according to the established objectives.

Maximum speed (KM/H) on treadmill OR maximum power (watts) when cycling

It is a matter of assessing the maximum load performed, which will give us an idea of your physical condition from both the cardiovascular and muscular point of view.

What is the objective?

The purpose of the stress test is mainly clinical, i.e., it is to assess the response of the heart when we subject it to significant and even maximum efforts (over 170-190 beats/minute). To see that everything is working correctly, that there are no alterations at the cardiovascular level that could condition the practice of sports, or imply cardiovascular risk, and in the event that they exist, to solve them.

Another objective of the stress test is physiological, that is, to know the capacity of the athlete to perform exercise and to know their physiological characteristics, because not all people are the same. In this way we can adapt the level, intensity and training load according to the results obtained in the test that allow us to achieve an improvement in sports performance.

Why is it important to have a stress test?

The benefits that physical activity brings to our health, both physical and psychological, are well known. It reduces the risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases, helps us to control our weight, strengthen our bones and muscles, improve our mood, reduce stress… and other benefits that make physical activity an almost mandatory practice in our routine.

But just as important as doing physical activity is to do it safely, since it is useless to practice sport if we put our health at risk. Thanks to the stress test, it is possible to detect symptoms or pathologies that do not appear in conditions of rest.

Thus, the stress test is a medical act of utmost importance both from a CLINICAL and PHYSIOLOGICAL point of view, in order to minimize cardiovascular risks and to obtain parameters to apply in training. Both the protocol and the type of ergometer to be used will be determined according to the previous interview.

How to attend the stress test?

It will be necessary to bring comfortable sports clothes (preferably breathable) as well as sports shoes.

It is not recommended to perform the stress test after training or just after a meal.