Aerobic Exercise

Aerobic Exercise Systematic Review Oct. 18, 2010

Main discussion points:

• Level IV studies were not included in the final evidence tables of this paper.  We felt it was still important to read these studies and to apply it to our practice, but you need to take the results with a grain of salt.
• Safety concerns around aerobic exercise were discussed.  The concept of "Dignity of Risk" was brought up.  Dignity of Risk is a term used to describe the right of individuals to choose to take some risk in engaging in life experiences. It is important not to overprotect clients in a way that unnecessarily restricts opportunities to enjoy life and a balance, based on planning and commonsense, should be met to ensure duty of care and dignity of risk.
• The relationship of aerobic capacity (an impairment at the body function level) to activity and participation was discussed.  It was felt that many social factors affect activity and participation and that perhaps strength would be more related to activity and participation than aerobic capacity is.
• The challenge in getting children to exercise at a high enough intensity to improve aerobic capacity was discussed.  Many typically developing kids don't get enough aerobic exercise these days.  The importance of inclusion in school phys. ed. was discussed.  Moving To Inclusion is an introductory course for adapted phys. ed. available online.
• Tools to determine appropriate training: Karvonen (Heart rate reserve) method of determining target heart rate.  Target HR = [(HRmax - HRrest) x 0.70-0.80] + HRrest, where HRrest = resting heart rate and HRmax = 220 - age.  Basically it takes your resting heart rate into consideration.  It is good for competitive athletes who have low resting heart rates and various special needs populations (including children) who often have higher resting heart rates than normal. 
• Pictoral Children's Effort Rating Scale