Sports Performance Cardiology

The CPET test will be carried out by both the exercise physiologist and cardiac nurse, onsite at one of the Heartcheck clinics.

The test will be performed using a cycle ergometer (stationary bike) or treadmill (activates more muscle groups, elicits greater oxygen desaturation and produces higher levels of peak oxygen uptake), and the participant will wear a mask (to measure breathing) and Electrocardioram (ECG) stickers attached to a heart monitor, to measure the patient’s heart rate during the test. In addition, the patient will wear a blood pressure cuff so that the nurse can measure the patients blood pressure through the test.

The participant will first get a baseline spiromitory and ECG test, and then- they will proceed to exercise, first at a slow rate, and increasing moderately over a 8-15 minute period, until the participant feels they have full exerted themselves and can no longer continue. The participant will then complete the test by exercising at a slower ‘cool-down’ speed.

VO2 max is the maximum (max) volume (V) of Oxygen (O2) your body is able to use during exercise.

Oxygen gets absorbed into the body by the lungs and converted into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a form of energy which in turn, helps the body release carbon dioxide.

The more oxygen your body is able to absorb, the more the body will be able to generate ATP energy.

Based on research, those with a higher VO2 max are generally believed to be in better health, are able to live a healthier lifestyle, and will therefore live longer.

There are also day-to-day benefits from trying to improve your VO2 max, such as having less fatigue and breathlessness reduced stress levels, and boosting your immune system.

Your VO2max test will show you the results of your fitness at one point in time. A VO2 max therefore can be used as a base measure and can be retested to track your fitness over a period of time.

Recovering from illness or injury? Re-testing your VO2 max can give you accurate data driven evidence on how well your body is responding to rest and rehabilitation.

Your VO2 max score is measured against key factors such as your gender and age. Younger people will generally be fitter and have a higher VO2 max scores. Just as men will typically have a higher score than women.

Typical VO2max results for men catagorised:

Typical VO2max results for women catagorised:

– The participant is experiencing Chest Pain or tightness (angina)

– The participant is experiencing moderate to severe dizziness

– Cardiovascular changes – A drop in systolic blood pressure of more than 20 mmHg from the highest value, or if blood pressure rises to dangerous levels (systolic >250 mmHg or diastolic >120 mmHg)

– ECG abnormalities are presented – development of arrhythmia’s or significant ST- segment changes (indicating lack of oxygen to the heart)

– Oxygen Saturation – A significant drop in blood oxygen levels (SpO2 < 80%)

– Physical Distress – loss of co-ordination, mental confusion, or extreme leg fatigue

A CPET appointment at our clinic take approximately 75 minutes, which includes meeting our team, completing our consenting process, obtaining resting medical data, and completion of the physical examination.

As this is an exercise test, it’s important that you were exercise clothing and footwear. You should avoid restrictive clothing, including skirts, dresses, open toe shoes and high heels. Women are also advised to wear a sports bra where possible.

You will be encouraged to continue exercising if you feel its possible, however you will be in complete control when you do the test, and can stop it at any time.

You should be able to carry on with taking your normal medications, including inhalers, with the exception of beta blockers, which may need to be paused. We recommend calling our team for a discussion of your medications, prior to the test, if you are unsure.

You are best to eat a light meal or snack a few hours prior to the test, and make sure you are well hydrated. Heavy meals, nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol should all be avoided on the day of the test, as these can affect your heart rate.

The mask will be snug and air-tight over your face, and may feel odd at first, however it will in no way restrict your breathing. If you have a fear/phobia of masks or having things on your face, it will be discussed during the consenting process.

We will complete our analysis and review report within 7 days of your appointment time. This information will be sent to your referring GP/specialist.

If you are doing the test for clinical purposes, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, or as a pre-operative assessment, then we will require

However should you like to do this test as a sports performance enhancement tool, then we will accept self-referral.

In some circumstances, the test may be covered by your private health insurance provider. This is usually the case when you are completing the test for clinical diagnostic purposes.

Sports performance testing or general health testing is not currently covered by health insurance and you will need to pay for the test yourself, at the time of your appointment.