If anyone has any comments I'd be interested. It was done on a bike. Effort was maximal stopping due to breathlessness. HR peaked at 98% of predicted maximum. Breathing reserve was 23% (normal). Peak lactate was low at 5 when it should be over 8. Peak VO2 was 15 which puts me in the lowest 5% of the population and is 60%of predicted value. And me a fitness nut!!!! Peak work rate was normal at 106w and OUES was low.
ECG was basically normal as was blood pressure. Anaerobic threshold was 38% of predicted indicating mildly reduced O2 delivery/extraction. Normal VO2 kinetics. Normal oxygen pulse, suggesting normal stroke volume response to exercise.
Normal ventilatory efficiency, sats 98 or 97 throughout.
Very large and slow breaths becoming more normal at end of test (this was me doing PLB so I could keep going until I could not maintain PLB and it all went to pot). Obstructive flow volume loops. Using up nearly all inspiratory capacity, no hyperinflation evident until the last loop (when I was no longer able to do PLB)
So I basically have significantly reduced exercise capacity and a high heart rate response. My legs could basically have done much more work. Possibly there is an autonomic dysfunction. Airflow obstruction is noted but PLB does not stave off hyperinflation completely and at that stage cardiac filling and function would be impacted. I may have some mild VQ mismatch but do not desaturate.
So essentially the test proves what I know - I have strong muscles but can't maintain exercise.
But why??? And what do I do about it???