Cardiopulmonary and Metabolic Testing

Our state-of-the-art metabolic system with electrocardiogram (ECG), pulse oximeter, and blood pressure monitoring collects breath-by-breath data or mixing chamber oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, minute ventilation, anaerobic threshold detection, flow volume loops, lung subdivisions, maximal voluntary ventilation, and real-time continuous ECG signals and oxygen saturation. These measurements can be useful to determine aerobic capacity, VO2 Peak, VO2 Maximum, work capacity, pulmonary function, and resting energy expenditure as well as many other clinical research outcomes.

Maximal Oxygen Consumption (VO₂ Max)

Cardiorespiratory fitness is related to the ability to perform large muscle, dynamic, moderate-to-high intensity exercise for prolonged periods. The performance of such exercise depends on the functional state of the respiratory, cardiovascular, and skeletal muscle systems. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) is the criterion measure of cardiorespiratory fitness. VO2 max is closely related to the functional capacity of the heart. The metabolic system conveniently located in the PEAK Human Performance Clinical Research Lab can perform cardiopulmonary exercise testing using a treadmill or a bike ergometer to measure VO2 max and provide cardiorespiratory parameter data for your research study.

Resting Energy Expenditure (REE)

The PEAK Human Performance Science Clinical Research Lab has the capability to measure Resting Energy Expenditure (REE), the number of calories burned at rest per day. REE provides the total caloric expenditure in 24 hours and is calculated from the gas exchange data collected by the metabolic system.

Electrocardiography (ECG)

The 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) system with Cardiosoft software monitors, tracks, and documents the heart’s electrical activity.

Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)

The PEAK Human Performance Science Clinical Research Lab offers a range of spirometric pulmonary function tests such as forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), flow volume loops, and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV).



 

Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT)

The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a standardized protocol field test conducted in the PEAK Human Performance Science Clinical Research Lab as well as outside of the lab to evaluate cardiorespiratory endurance. The 6MWT is assessed as the most distance an individual can walk in 6 minutes. The 6MWT is easy to administer and is often used in elderly individuals and patients who cannot be tested with standard treadmill exercise equipment.