Special considerations in exercise testing. Protocols, equipment, and testing athletes

A growing number of physicians are performing exercise tests in their offices for the purposes of diagnosing cardiopulmonary disease and assessing exercise capacity in patients with heart disease. Methodology of testing is important in making the most effective use of the information gathered from the test. Selecting an approach that fits the objectives of the test and the individual being tested is essential for accurate and reproducible results. This article discusses the various exercise protocols and equipment used in exercise testing.