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

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

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