The Physiological Cost Index

Frank Plasschaert

Energy Expenditure Index -

Rose J, Medeiros JM, Parker R. Energy cost index as an estimate of energy expenditure of cerebral-palsied children during assisted ambulation. Dev Med Child Neurol 1985;27(4):485-90.

Physiological Cost Index –

MacGregor J. The objective measurement of physical performance with long term ambulatory surveillance equipment (LAPSE). In Stott FD, Raftery EB, Goulding IL. (Eds.), Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on Ambulatory Monitoring. Academic Press 1979: 29-38.

and

Butler P, Englebrecht M, Major RE, Tait JH, Stallard J, and Patrick JH. Physiological cost index of walking for normal children and its use as an idicator of physical handicap. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 1984, 26, 607-612

Advantages

Data easily obtainable

No expensive equipment needed

Disadvantages

Heart rate dependent on anxiety, environment, medication

Linear relationship between HR en oxygen consumption is dependent on training and age

Less repeatable