ABSTRACT
The human respiratory system has evolved and adapted to ensure it serves its primary function; namely to transport the necessary oxygen required for energy generation at a cellular level and to remove waste products from this energy generation, primarily carbon dioxide. It is the latter, that is generally considered to dictate the overall functional behaviour of the respiratory system and during exercise mandates a response pattern acting to address metabolic requirements. The only assessment available that has the ability to interrogate the response to exercise along the entire physiological pathway is a cardio-pulmonary exercise test. Displaying these measured and calculated variables allows the physiological response to exercise of multiple systems to be interpreted. A number of abnormalities may act to indicate a breathing pattern disorder of ‘dysfunctional breathing’ response to exercise. Ventilation and the ventilatory response to exercise are also measured directly.
