[Exercise tolerance tests in athletes, then what?]

Exercise tolerance tests in athletes are usually performed to evaluate aerobic exertion capacity and to plan training. They are based on simultaneous measurement of expired gases (determination of ventilation threshold and of VO2max). They can also be used to seek a possible cardiovascular anomaly, particularly in case of clinical symptoms or anomalies on auscultation; findings based on electrocardiography (rhythm, repolarisation, etc.) and on blood pressure readings, however, can lead to suspicion of an early anomaly and direct complementary investigation.