Peak Exercise Parameters

Abstract

Peak V̇O2 is one of the most important and widely used cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) indices of cardiovascular health. For most normal individuals, and especially for those with cardiovascular disease, peak V̇O2 is limited by the amount of O2 that the cardiopulmonary system can deliver to the exercising muscles. This in turn is limited by the circulatory system’s ability to increase cardiac output during exercise. Hence, peak V̇O2 is an excellent indicator of the capabilities of a patient’s cardiovascular system. Other peak exercise parameters also provide important clinical and physiological information.