Cathedra of medical physical culture,

sports medicine and valeology

Lecture 2:

Theme:“An Estimation the Functional

Condition of the Human Body. Functional
Tests”
Nekhanevich Oleg Borisovich
 FUNCTIONAL CONDITION is the adaptation level of
main physiological systems to changes of external and
internal environment

The study of many functional indices is frequently

N.B.! done while the subject is at rest, which is not always
sufficiently informative. The essence of functional
diagnostics also includes the analysis of mechanisms
that provide for changes in organs and systems as a
result of any number of factors.

Therefore, in order to accurately evaluate human

functional abilities, it is important to study the response of the
organs and systems of his organism to some action. (Note the
Latin term, “reciprocal action.”)
 FUNCTIONAL TEST –
carefully dosed influences of various factors on an
organism to the study of the organism’s reactions to
one or other of these dosed factors gives an idea of
its active vital processes.

The Chief Goals of Functional

Research :
1. Define and evaluate the degree and character of the
responses of the body’s organs and systems to an
influence affecting it.
2. Identify the adaptive mechanisms of the organism to
artificially altered conditions.
3. Identify any hidden functional disorder, and its degree
of severity.
Functional Tests Classified by Affecting
Factors

І. Tests involving physical exertion

ІІ. Tests dependent on change of environment .
1. Respiratory tests
1) holding breath on inspiration (Schtang test)
2) holding breath on expiration (Genchy test)
3) Changing the gas composition of inhaled air (hypoxemic test)
2. Temperature tests
1) cold
2) Heat
ІІІ. Tests involving venous return of blood to the heart
1. Tests involving changes of body position
1) orthostatic (active, passive);
2) clinostatic
2. Tests involving strong exertion (Valsalv’s test, Burger’s test.)
IV. Pharmacological tests (using potassium, b-inhibitors, atropine).
V. Nutritional (alimentary) tests (glucose toleranse test)
 Classification of Functional
Tests Involving Physical
Exertion
I. Time of measurement:
1. Tests during recovery
2. Tests during exertion

II. Capacity to perform tasks:

1. One-staged (Martine-Kushelevsky’s test (20 squats in 30 seconds),
Rufe’s test; Hurvard step test)
2. Two-staged (Korotkov’s test)
3. Combined (three staged Letunov’s test)

III. Character of tye movement performed:

1. Non-specific (common to all kinds of sport) 2. Specific

IV. Intensity of the performed activity:

1.Maximal (and supermaximal) – «until quitting»
2. Submaximal (75% or less of maximal)

V. Test conditions:
1. Laboratory testing using various types of ergometers
2. Testing in natural sports conditions
 Functional Tests During Recovery

These tests are based on the measurement of changes in indices

following exertion. They were introduced relatively long ago, when
medicine did not have apparatus to measure various physiological
indices during muscular activities

1. They allow one to get a qualitative measurement of the

characteristics of the response to exertion

2. They note the speed and effectiveness of the recovery

process

3. They don’t require complex apparatus, but the procedure

itself is distinguished by its simplicity
 THE ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTIONAL
TESTS

The following parameters are used:

1. Elevated pulse – increased in comparison to the

initial rate, expressed as a percent.

2. Change of arterial blood pressure (ABP) –

systolic, diastolic and pulse, expressed as a percent.

3. Time required for the indicators to return to

their initial levels (recovery time).
N.B.! Measurements of the results of the tests performed is used to
study the types of responses of the cardiovascular system to
physical exertion
TYPES OF CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
RESPONSES

1. NORMOTONIC

2. HYPOTONIC
3. HYPERTONIC
PATHOLOGIC
4. DYSTONIC TYPES
5. STEGES TYPE
 NORMOTONIC TYPE

increase in pulse rate of 60-80%

HR and Bp
(an average of 6-7 beats per 10 in % from
HR SBP
sec) initial)
130 DBP
120
moderate increase in systolic 110
BP – by 15-30% (an average 20- 100
90
30 мм Hg) 80
70
60
insignificant decrease in 50
40
diastolic BP – by 10-15% (an 30
average 5-10 мм Hg) 20
10
0
-10 1 2 3 4 5
significant increase in pulse BP -20
TIME (мin.)
– by 80-100% (indirectly reflects -30
-40
the heart’s pumping capacity) -50
-60
-70
normal recovery period up to 3 -80
-90
min.: -100
 HYPOTONIC (asthenic) TYPE

significantly increased pulse

rate ( > 100-150% ) HR and BP
(in %
from HR SBP DBP
systolic BP slightly increased, initial)
unchanged or even decreased 130
120
110
100
90
diastolic BP typically 80
70
unchanged or slightly 60
50
increased 40
30
20
10
0
pulse BP typically decreased -10 1 2 3 4 5
or slightly increased – (12- -20
-30 TIME (m in.)
25% ) -40
-50
-60
-70
-80
recovery period significantly -90
-100
slower (> 5-10 min. )
 Hypotonic reaction:

• This response is considered to be poor as

adaptation to exertion is inadequate. The
heightened circulation of blood is reached chiefly
by increased heart rate; the heart works
ineffectively and with great effort.
• This is observed most frequently in those who are
physically unfit or poorly fit, those with hypotonic
type autonomic-vascular diatonic, following
communicable diseases, or athletes who are
excessively fatigued or strained.
• However, in children and teenagers this response
is considered a variation of the normal recovery
period.
 HYPERTONIC TYPE
significantly increased pulse
rate (> 100% ); HR and BP
(in % from
initial) HR SBP DBP
significantly increased in 130
systolic BP – (> 30%); 120
110
100
90
80
slight increase in diastolic BP 70
60
up to 90 мм Hg and above, or 50
40
tendency to increase 30
20
10
0
-10
increased pulse BP (resulting -20
1 2 3 4 5
-30 TIME (m in.)
from an increased resistance to -40
the flow of blood due to spasms -50
-60
of the peripheral vessels) -70
-80
-90
-100
significantly slowed recovery
period (> 3 min. ).
 Hypertonic reaction:

• This response is considered unfavorable as the

mechanism of adaptation to exertion is
unsatisfactory. With the simultaneous increase in
systolic volume and overall peripheral resistance
in the vascular vessels, the heart must work with
great effort.
• This type is inclined to be manifest in hypertonic
conditions (including in latent forms), hypertonic
type of autonomic-vascular dystonia, primary and
symptomatic forms of hypertension and
atherosclerosis, and evident physical strain in
athletes.
 Hyperactive reaction:

• Some authors distinguish from the hypertonic

response (though as a variation of it) a
hyperactive response that is characterized by a
moderate decrease in diastolic blood pressure.
With a normal recovery period it may be
considered somewhat positive. Nevertheless,
this type of response is evidence of a heightened
response of the sympathetic section of the
autonomic nervous system (sympathicotonia),
which is one of the first signs of strain in the
autonomic regulation of cardiac activity, and
increases the risk of pathological conditions
appearing during intensive exertion.
 DYSTONIC TYPE:

(in
significantly increased
HR and BP
% from
pulse rate (> 100% ) initial)
130
HR SBP DBP

120
110
100
significantly increased 90
SBP (sometimes over 80
70
180 мм Hg) 60
50
40
30
20
reduction of DBP to 0 мм 10
0
Hg (so-called «the perpetual -10
-20
1 2 3 4 5
tone phenomenon»), that -30
-40
TIME (m in.)

continues more than 2 min. -50

-60
-70
-80
delayed recovery period -90
-100
(> 3 мin.)
 Dystonic reaction:

• This response is considered to be negative as

it indicates a severe weakness of the
circulatory system due to an acute disorder of
the neural regulation of the vessels (especially
microcirculatory).
• It is noted in disorders of the autonomic
portion of the nervous system, neuroses,
following recuperation from infection
diseases, frequently in teenagers during
prepuberty and puberty, and in athletes who
are excessively fatigued or strained.
 STAGES TYPE:

HR and BP
sharply increased (in % from HR SBP
initial)
pulse rate (> 100% ) 130
120
DBP
110
100
90
SBP increases by 80
70
stages. The SBP after 60
50
exertion is lower at the first 40
30
minute’s than it is at the 20
10
second and third minute of 0
-10 1 2 3 4 5
the recovery period -20
-30 TIME (m in.)
-40
-50
-60
delayed recovery -70
-80
period (> 3 мin.) -90
-100
 STAGES TYPE:

• This type of reaction is considered to be

negative as the adaptation to exertion is
inadequate. It indicates that the circulatory
system is unable to promptly and adequately
provide the functional ability needed for
exertion (“delayed response”).
• Most frequently this response is observed in old
people, especially who have diseases of the
cardio-vascular system, following recuperation
from infectious diseases, when fatigued, with
low levels of physical fitness, or in athletes who
have an inadequate level of general training.
PHYSIOLOGICAL SENS OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR
SYSTEM REACTION ON THE EXERTION:

• Cardiac output = HR * stroke

volume
 «Non progredi est regredi»

Thank you for attention