Practices and Procedures in Clinical Pediatric Exercise Laboratories in North America.

Creator(s)

Kelli M. Teson, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Jessica S. Watson, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Wayne A. Mays
Sandy Knecht
Tracy Curran
Paul Rebovich
David D. Williams, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Stephen M. Paridon
David A. White, Children's Mercy Kansas CityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-1-2022

Identifier

DOI: 10.1123/pes.2021-0149

Abstract

Interinstitutional differences in clinical pediatric exercise laboratory (CPEL) practices may affect patient care and efficacy of multicenter research.

PURPOSE: To describe current practices/procedures in CPELs and explore differences in CPELs employing exercise physiologists to those that do not.

METHODS: A 40-item survey was distributed to CPELs in North America focusing on (1) staffing; (2) exercise stress testing (EST) volumes, reporting, and interpretation; and (3) EST procedures/protocols.

RESULTS: Of the 55 responses, 89% were in the United States, 85% were children's hospitals with university affiliation, and 58% were cardiology specific. Exercise physiologists were employed in 56% of CPELs, and 78% had master's degrees or higher. Certifications were required in most CPELs (92% emergency life-support, 27% professional, and 21% clinical). Median volume was 201 to 400 ESTs per year, 80% used treadmill, and 10% used cycle ergometer as primary modalities. Ninety-three percent of CPELs offered metabolic ESTs, 87% offered pulmonary function testing, 20% used institution-specific EST protocols, and 72% offered additional services such as cardiac/pulmonary rehabilitation. CPELS staffing exercise physiologists performed higher volumes of ESTs (P = .004), were more likely to perform metabolic ESTs (P = .028), participated in more research (P < .001), and provided services in addition to ESTs (P = .001).

CONCLUSIONS: Heterogeneity in CPELs staffing and operation indicates need for standardization.

Journal Title

Pediatr Exerc Sci

Volume

34

Issue

4

First Page

202

Last Page

209

MeSH Keywords

Humans; Child; United States; Laboratories; Exercise Test; North America; Exercise; Surveys and Questionnaires

Keywords

clinical exercise physiologist; clinical exercise testing; pediatric stress testing; pulmonary function testing

Recommended Citation

Teson KM, Watson JS, Mays WA, et al. Practices and Procedures in Clinical Pediatric Exercise Laboratories in North America. Pediatr Exerc Sci. 2022;34(4):202–209. doi:10.1123/pes.2021-0149