Question

1. Is the YMCA submax bike ergometer test advisable for an individual with a pacemaker? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Yes it's advisable to do a submaximal test. The person with artificial pacemaker is eligible to do such tests as they are used to measure the aerobic capacity. The artificial pacemakers work only when they are needed. During such exercise when heart can't produce stimulus for increasing the rate of contraction and thus he can perform the test like normal individuals. The heart won't go beyond a limit. So he can perform the test to identify the lung compatability and find this VO2. He can do any kind of aerobic exercise. Only thing to be considered is not to fall down. Falling down may disconnect the wires of the pacemaker.