Abstract
The reference values of young athletes for cardiopulmonary exercise testing are lacking. Expert opinions encourage production of local values specific for certain population. The study population consisted of 136 healthy male caucasian athletic children and adolescents coming from one specific football school in northern Slovakia. Exercise testing with continuous electrocardiography was performed, and ventilatory parameters, oxygen uptake (VO2), and carbon dioxide (CO2) production were measured continuously with a respiratory gas analysis system. Peak VO2max/kg was changing very little across the childhood, whereas the peak work rate, heart rate and O2Pulse were. Linear regression analysis showed a significant effect of age on VE/VCO2. This work provides a reference values for the most important cardiopulmonary variables that can be obtained during cardiopulmonary exercise testing in athletic children.
Highlights
Stress tests are among the most popular non-invasive diagnostic methods in cardiological evaluation and evaluation of functional capacity of the organism
The study population consisted of 136 healthy male Caucasian athletic children and adolescents coming from one specific football school in northern Slovakia (Table 1)
All participants performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) without complications and were able to adhere to chosen protocol
Summary
Stress tests are among the most popular non-invasive diagnostic methods in cardiological evaluation and evaluation of functional capacity of the organism. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is considered valid but neglected diagnostic tool whose indications and location in the clinical setting are still pending for proper application [14]. The way and rate of response of the organism to increasing bout of exercise can be applied in clinical practice to evaluate the functional parameters of athletes and to correctly interpret the risk stratification in patients with congenital or acquired heart, lung, muscle or metabolic diseases [12]. The reference values of young athletes for cardiopulmonary exercise testing are lacking. Conclusion: This work provides a reference values for the most important cardiopulmonary variables that can be obtained during cardiopulmonary exercise testing in athletic children
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
