Quantitative critique of research article with problem statement analysis

¶ … evidence suggests that using a handrail as a support mechanism during exercise narrows physiological responses to exercise and limits aerobic benefits. However, Christman, et.al. (2000) believe this is not a well-studied phenomenon and seek to quantitatively assess actual measurable effects using three levels of handrail support during treadmill exercise programs.

Problem Statement- The problem statement is clear and well-defined. The focus is on either validating or dispelling a way of constructing treadmill exercise in thousands of clinics and offices globally. The benefits of aerobic exercise on cardiovascular health are well-documented, and if there are small alternations that can improve the robustness of exercise, it would improve the efficacy of treadmill activity.

Questions to be addressed- The major questions under investigation are: even though the manufacturer's recommendations for use of treadmill include handrail use, does continuous use detract from exercise (aerobic) benefit; if so, what is the optimum use of handrail support given differing circumstances and individual needs; and finally, what are the quantitative results of using handrail support vs. no handrail support?

Clarity of Study- The study itself is very focused and quite clear. The methodology strives to limit the external variables, and while the sample size is relatively small (n=17) it is specifically designed to measure continuous light, continuous very light, and no handrail support -- a limit of three variables of measurement.

Limitations- This study was not designed to be longitudinal nor comprehensive; rather it was designed to look at a specific set of problems in which further quantitative research could be based. Limitations in this study were, of course, the small number of subjects who, after vetting, became 15 who were all healthy. Further research into varying degrees of cardiac health might reveal differences, and a spread of age and physical attributes (height, weight, BMI, etc.) might prove helpful as well.

Pertinent Terms -- It is important to understand the basics of aerobic exercise and particularly, oxygen uptake. Oxygen uptake is "the amount of oxygen used by the body to perform physical work; measurements of oxygen uptake reflect the aerobic requirement (aerobic demand) of exercising muscles" (p. 38).

Significance of Issue- The significance of the issue for health related fields is one of synergy. By quantitatively measuring each test subject throughout a workout, the study found that mean oxygen uptake and mean heart rate were greater in the no-handrail variable by over 10% as opposed to using varying levels of support. By increasing the efficacy of a treadmill work out by 10%, most individuals will significantly benefit from greater exercise stress, making the workout more efficacious.

Justification of Research- The research suggests that variable degrees of handrail support should be used for cardiac patients, particularly in the recovery stages of post-surgical or post-procedure issues. Of course, this can be accomplished easier during the supervised stage of rehabilitation. It is after the patient moves to either home or gym time with the treadmill that educating the patient about handrail support becomes important. "Once the patient decides to stop holding the handrails, the aerobic requirement of the activity increases" (p. 40). This is particularly relevant if time is a factor for the patient, they can optimize their workout more effectively without the use of handrails.