The problem investigated was to compare the effects of orders of presentation and anchors on the ratings of perceived exertion obtained during bicycle ergometry. Based on the statistical analysis of the data, the following findings were apparent: 1. It was found that there were no significant differences in mean scores of perceived exertion obtained among the orders of presentation, ascending, descending, and random. 2. It was found that the light anchor mean score was significantly greater than those of the heavy or identical anchor. 3. It was found that there were significant differences among the ratings of perceived exertion that may be attributed to changes in work loads. 4. It was found that there were significant differences among the mean scores of ratings of perceived exertion that may be attributed to the interaction of the main effects. As a result of the findings, the following conclusions were deemed appropriate within the limitations of the study: 1. Ratings of perceived exertion in ascending and random order increased proportionately in value as the work load increases. 2. Contrast effects are present in ratings of perceived exertion obtained during bicycle ergometry. 3. The majority of previous findings agree with the present research with respect to anchors and orders of presentation. 4. Light anchors and ascending orders of presentation make work appear to be more strenuous than what it actually is. 5. Heavy anchors and descending orders of presentation make work appear to be less strenuous than what it actually is.

The aim of this thesis was to summarize current findings about exercise testing. The main goal was to evaluate protocols used in daily practice, their indications and benefits, comparability and parameters that can influence the results. The purpose of the practical part was to compare the maximal values of physiological parameters (heart rate, VO2, minute ventilation, RER, power output and rated perceived exertion) for the two most commonly used protocols for bicycle ergometry tests in the Czech Republic. We compared ramp (1/3W.kg-1 .min-1 ) and step (1W.kg-1 every 3 min) incremental protocols to exhaustion. Thirteen young, healthy and physically fit subjects (9 males and 4 women aged from 20 to 31 years) underwent two tests in separate occasions, during which they performed the protocols in random order. Paired t-test was used to statisticaly analyze the data. We found no statisticaly significant differences in these maximal values except for the exercise test time. We deduced some practical benefits of each protokol from obtained data.

The aim of this study was to compare NIRS (Near-infrared spectroscopy) and respiratory parameters measurement in determination of anaerobic treshold. Additionally changes in muscle oxygenation (SmO2) were described during incremental bicycle excercise. Fifteen subjects, 9 men and 6 women took part in this study. To verify the reliability of the measurement, the experiment was performed in the form of a test/retest with a few day's delay. The value of SmO2 was measured in m. gastrocnemius lateralis and m. vastus lateralis. In addition, respiratory parameters and pulse rate were recorded during the examination. The data obtained show that the breakpoint in the SmO2 dynamics determined by the NIRS method means that the excercise intensity above the anaerobic threshold is reached, because the breakpoint is located in the area of the Respiratory Compensation Point. In the SmO2 parameter, it is also possible to monitor the equilibrium state during the rest phase. The SmO2 parameter after the ramp log terminates exceeds the value in the rest phase, and returns to the quiescent value usually within 2 minutes. The test/re-test method has verified the reliability of the measurement.

This paper summarizes the problems of human thermoregulation and its measurement, with a focus on the method of indirect calorimetry in resting conditions at different ambient temperatures and during physical activity. It also introduces the issue of human thermal comfort and the methodology of its monitoring using thermal manikin. It describes PowerCube Ergo (Ganshorn, Germany) and Cardiovit AT-104 (Schiller, Switzerland), the diagnostic devices used to spiro-ergometry measurements. It introduces the options to export data. The work proposes the protocol for measuring the thermoregulation of the small group of volunteers, which is realized by the practical part. According to the same protocol is monitored thermal comfort of the thermal manikin. In MATLAB is created the application, allowing clear analysis of measurement records. The data are evaluated and discussed.

Problem- und Zielstellung: Eingeschränkte kardiorespiratorische Fitness (CRF) gilt als Risikofaktor für die Entwicklung von Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen. Häufig erfolgt die CRF-Ermittlung mit dem submaximalen Belastungs-EKG (Fahrradergometrie). Es mangelt an Testverfahren, die ortsunabhängig und ökonomisch als Screeninginstrument zur Früherkennung eingeschränkter CRF einsetzbar sind. Deshalb wurde untersucht, ob auch kurze Belastungstests (nachfolgend Kurztests) eine zuverlässige Aussage zur CRF ermöglichen und eine Alternative zum Belastung-EKG sein können. - Methodik: Die Untersuchungen erfolgten im Rahmen der arbeitsmedizinischen Vorsorge. Diese bestand aus einem Fragebogen (u. a. anamnestische, soziodemografische, lebensstilbezogene Angaben), körperlichen Untersuchungen (u. a. Body Mass Index, Herzfrequenz, Blutdruck) und vier Belastungstests (submaximales Belastungs-EKG, Kurztests: Kurzergometrie, Stepp-Test, Kniebeugetest). In die Analysestichprobe gingen 66 Erwerbstätige (30 Frauen, 36 Männer; Durchschnittsalter: 48 Jahre) ein. Die CRF wurde nach der Formel von Wicks et al. (2011) ermittelt. - Ergebnisse: Die CRF war in den Kurztests signifikant geringer als im Belastungs-EKG (η²partial = 0,23). Mit den Kurztests wurde der submaximale Belastungsbereich nicht erreicht. Die CRF korrelierte zwischen Belastungs-EKG und Kurztests sehr gering bis gering (r = 0,16–0,23). Zwischen den Kurztests bestanden mittlere Korrelationen (r = 0,54–0,62). Geschlecht, Alter und Sportstunden/Woche beeinflussen die CRF. - Schlussfolgerung: Die Kurztests können das Belastungs-EKG nicht ersetzen. Bei ihnen wird nicht die eigentliche CRF ermittelt, sondern eine neu definierte Kurzbelastungsfitness. Ob die Kurzbelastungsfitness Aussagen über das kardiorespiratorische Erkrankungsrisiko ermöglicht, ist weiter zu untersuchen. / Background and objectives: Reduced cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is considered a risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases. Very often CRF is determined with submaximal exercise ECG (bicycle ergometry). There is a lack of test procedures that can be used location-independently and economically as a screening instrument for the early detection of restricted CRF. Therefore, we investigated whether short exercise tests (hereinafter referred as short tests) also enable a reliable statement about CRF and whether they can be an alternative to exercise ECG. - Methods: The examinations were carried out as part of preventive occupational health care. They consisted of a questionnaire (including anamnestic, sociodemographic, lifestyle-related information), physical examination (including body mass index, heart rate, blood pressure) and four exercise tests (submaximal exercise ECG, short tests: short ergometry, step test, squat test). In all, 66 employees (30 women, 36 men; average age: 48 years) were included. The CRF was calculated according to the formula of Wicks et al. (2011). - Results: CRF was significantly lower in the short tests than in the exercise ECG (η²partial = 0.23); the submaximal exposure range was not reached with the short tests. The CRF correlation between exercise ECG and short tests (r = 0.16–0.23) was very low to low. Between the short tests, there were moderate correlations (r = 0.54–0.62). Gender, age and exercise hours per week all influence CRF. - Conclusions: The short tests cannot replace the exercise ECG. The short tests do not determine the actual CRF, but a newly defined short-term fitness. Whether the short-term fitness allows statements regarding risk for cardiorespiratory diseases remains to be investigated.

Bakgrund: Hjärnskakning är en vanlig diagnos och vissa patienter upplever att fysisk ansträngning utlöser symtom lång tid efter hjärnskakningen. En förändring i reglering av cerebralt blodflöde (CBF) har visats vara en potentiell orsak bakom detta. Konditionsträning under tröskeln för symtomexacerbation kan förkorta återhämtningstiden för patienterna. På Neurorehab vid Norrlands universitetsjukhus i Umeå identifieras tröskeln med ett stegrat arbetsprov på ergometercykel. Det finns inte någon studie där transkraniell doppler (TCD) använts för att mäta förändringar i cerebralt blodflöde (CBF) under detta arbetsprov. Syfte: Att undersöka genomförbarhet och klinisk relevans av att använda TCD för mätning av blodflödeshastighet i arteria cerebri media (ACMh), hos friska män, under stegrat arbetsprov. Metod: Sex friska och regelbundet aktiva män genomförde ett stegrat arbetsprov på ergometercykel under samtidig mätning av hjärtfrekvens, blodtryck, partialtryck end-tidal CO2 (PetCO2) och blodflödeshastighet i arteria cerebri media (ACMh, mätt med TCD). Smärta från TCD-utrustning och upplevd ansträngning skattades. Tidsåtgången för TCD-tillägget samt eventuell signalförlust noterades. Resultat: Fem studiedeltagare rapporterade ökad smärta (huvudvärk), skattad med Borg CR10 skala, från TCD-utrustningen. Total tidsåtgång för TCD-tillägget var 7 minuter och 40 sekunder i median (IQR, 5 minuter och 32 sekunder). Signalförlust uppstod för en studiedeltagare på vänster sida. PetCO2 och ACMh följdes åt under arbetsprovet bortsett från avvikelser vid två tillfällen. Slutsatser: Studien visar att mätning av ACMh med TCD är genomförbart och ger relevant information om hur CBF ter sig under genomförandet av stegrat arbetsprov. TCD-utrustningen orsakade smärta vilket kan vara problematiskt vid genomförande för personer med postkontusionellt syndrom.