Gas Exchange Kinetics and Work Load During Exercise

The purpose of this research study is to understand how different kinds of exercise affect
the human body and the health of the heart and lungs. For example, some people like to
exercise continuously for relatively long periods of time while others like to exercise for
short periods of time with rest periods in between. Children tend to exercise in frequent
bouts of brief exercise interspersed with periods of rest. Also, some people like running or
treadmill exercise while others like to work out on stationary bicycles. To date, standard
exercise testing is based on a century-old paradigm used predominantly for adults that
involves maximal exercise protocols (cardiopulmonary exercise testing-CPET). Moreover,
different but widely used exercise modalities such as cycle ergometer and treadmills are
currently impossible to compare in children, and this has limited the clinical and research
application of such testing in the pediatric age-range. A major premise of this laboratory is
that laboratory testing of cardiopulmonary fitness in children should be based on protocols
that mimic naturally occurring patterns of exercise in children, rather than those that have
been artificially employed to assess maximal efforts in adults. This research project
designed to begin the process of systematically identifying protocols can be best used for
children and young adults. Participants will exercise in different protocols on a bicycle
ergometer or treadmill. This research could lead to improved and more accurate fitness
assessment and pave the way to an improved personalized exercise program in health and
illness.