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Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans
Published on: October 17, 2018
Unraveling the Causes of Unexplained Dyspnea: The Value of Exercise Testing
Denis E O'Donnell1, Kathryn M Milne2, Sandra G Vincent1
1Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, 102 Stuart Street, Kingston, Ontario K7L 2V6, Canada.
Abstract:
Unexplained dyspnea presents a significant diagnostic challenge. Dyspnea arises when inspiratory neural drive (IND) to the respiratory muscles is increased and the respiratory system fails to meet this increased demand. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a valuable tool to unravel the causes of exertional dyspnea in the individual. Moreover, analysis of breathing pattern, operating lung volumes and flow-volume loops allows characterization of abnormal dynamic mechanical response to increased IND - an important source of breathing discomfort. We illustrate the clinical utility of this approach which examines respiratory sensation, ventilatory control, respiratory mechanics and cardio-circulatory responses in cases of unexplained dyspnea.
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