Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) information sheet
Contact details
Introduction
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a non-invasive measurement of how the cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular and neurological systems are working individually and together during incremental exercise.
About the test
Exercise can help identify problems which are not obvious at rest. The information obtained can assist with diagnosing and understanding the severity of an illness. It can also evaluate fitness, response to therapy and assess exercise tolerance.
This test measures:
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Blood pressure (BP)
Oxygen saturation (SpO2)
Ventilation (VE)
Exhaled gas analysis (O2 and CO2)
Preparing for the test
- Please allow up to 1.5 hours for clinical testing.
- Your child should wear appropriate clothing and shoes suitable for exercise. Slippers, school shoes or jeans are not suitable for exercising on a treadmill.
- Your child should have something light to eat to and drink up to 2 hours before testing. Please continue to encourage drinking water up until the time of the test.
On the day of the test
Your child will be assessed upon arrival by a physician. Medical history, clinical diagnosis and a physical examination will determine your child鈥檚 ability to perform the Exercise Test. The respiratory scientist will explain the test procedure to you and your child.
Lung function and resting values are measured before starting exercise. Your child will be fitted with a face mask (measuring inspiratory and expiratory breathing/gas), a portable electrocardiogram (measuring cardiac activity/function) and a pulse oximeter (measuring oxygen saturation and heart rate). The duration of the test will vary for every child. The physician or respiratory scientist may stop the test early if deemed necessary.
Your child is monitored by both a physician and a respiratory scientist throughout the test and precautions for your child鈥檚 safety will be taken.
Step 1
The exercise test begins at a slow pace (2.7km/hr) with a gradient of 10%.
Step 2
The speed and gradient will progressively increase at 3-minute intervals.
Step 3
Your child will be asked to rate how difficult they are finding the exercise throughout and at the end of the test. They will use a visual score from 1 鈥� 10 called the Borg Scale.
Step 4
After exercise, lung function will be measured to make sure there has been no abnormal changes with exercise.
As this is a maximal exercise test, there is the very rare chance that complications can occur. These could include, fainting, falling, irregular heartbeat, wheezing and/or shortness of breath. Trained medical staff are always on hand to look after your child.
Please note: In some cases, your referring doctor may ask your child to stop taking medications prior to the test. Please make sure you follow these instructions.