Assessment of Functional Capacity in Clinical and Research Settings

Abstract

In summary, the measurement of functional capacity provides a valuable tool for diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic assessment in a wide variety of settings. The specific aspects of testing such as the mode of exercise, protocol, end point, and analysis of respiratory gases are highly dependent on the population being tested and the questions being addressed. Regardless of these specifics and despite the many recent advances in cardiac imaging, functional capacity assessment remains an important procedure. © 2007 American Heart Association, Inc.