Exercise testing and chronic lung diseases in children.

Exercise activity is an important part of daily life for both healthy children and children with respiratory diseases. Overall fitness level and responses to exercise can be assessed through cardiopulmonary exercise tests (using a treadmill or a cycloergometer). In asthmatic children exercise tests are useful to diagnose exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, which may affect up to 80% of asthmatic subjects. In cystic fibrosis patient, as the disease progresses, lung function deteriorates and exercise tolerance likewise diminishes. This reduced tolerance may not be predicted on the base of a standard spirometry while an exercise test can offer useful information. Eventually, exercise testing is useful in children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia to determine any presence and extent of gas exchange and ventilation dysfunction during exercise. Exercise challenges are a valuable tool to assess exercise tolerance that may be not adequately reflected by resting lung function tests.