Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing

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Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) determines the client’s functional capacity by measuring pulmonary, cardiovascular, and muscular exercise responses. Generally, two modes of exercise are used in CPET: treadmill and cycle ergometer. The test protocols are either incremental or a constant work rate. There are accepted contraindications to CPET, indications for a CPET, and criteria for terminating the test that involves measuring oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide output (VCO2), and expired ventilation (VE), blood pressure (BP), and electrocardiography (ECG). These variables and others reflect the maximal ability of the client to take in, transport, and use oxygen. They also allow for the evaluation of client’s submaximal exercise responses as well as the client’s VO2 max response that represents the maximal level of the body’s oxidative metabolism.