🫁 Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET): A New Era in Exercise Assessment in Cyprus

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) is a sophisticated, non-invasive investigation that evaluates how the heart, lungs, and muscles function together during exercise. Unlike tests performed at rest, CPET assesses real-life physiological responses under controlled physical stress, providing insights that cannot be captured by spirometry, ECG, or imaging alone.

What is CPET?

During CPET, the individual performs gradually increasing exercise—usually on a cycle ergometer or treadmill—while breathing through a mouthpiece or mask. Continuous analysis of inhaled and exhaled gases allows precise measurement of:

• Oxygen uptake (VO₂ )

• Carbon dioxide production (VCO₂)

• Ventilation and breathing efficiency

• Heart rate and cardiovascular response

  
  

  This integrated assessment makes CPET the gold standard for evaluating exercise capacity.

CPET in Children and Adolescents

In pediatric practice, exercise-related symptoms are common and often difficult to interpret. Shortness of breath, early fatigue, or poor exercise tolerance may not always be explained by asthma or abnormal spirometry at rest.

CPET helps distinguish between:

• Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction

• Dysfunctional breathing patterns

• Exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction

• Deconditioning

• Cardiac or pulmonary limitation

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By analysing physiological responses throughout exercise, CPET allows accurate diagnosis, avoids unnecessary treatments, and guides targeted management.

CPET for Young Adult Athletes & Active Individuals

CPET is a powerful performance and training optimisation tool for young adults, athletes, and highly active individuals.

Why measure VO₂ max properly?

VO₂ max reflects maximal aerobic capacity and is a key determinant of endurance performance. CPET provides:

• Direct measurement of true VO₂ max (not an estimate)

• Identification of the limiting system to performance

• Objective assessment of fitness level and training status

This is particularly useful for athletes who experience performance plateaus, unexplained fatigue, or inconsistent training responses.

Training smarter, not harder

CPET goes far beyond a single fitness number. It allows precise identification of:

• Ventilatory thresholds (VT1 & VT2) for accurate training zones

• Breathing efficiency and ventilatory reserve

• Cardiovascular response and recovery dynamics

These data support:

• Individualised endurance training plans

• Improved training efficiency

• Reduced risk of overtraining

• Objective monitoring of progress over time

  
  
  
  

Who benefits from CPET?

CPET is especially valuable for:

• Children with unexplained exercise symptoms

• Adolescents with persistent dyspnea despite treatment

• Young adults returning to sport after illness or injury

• Competitive or recreational endurance athletes

• Individuals seeking a scientific baseline before structured training

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By translating physiology into practical information, CPET bridges the gap between symptoms, diagnosis, and performance.