start CPET interpretation with finding peak VO2

$V_{O_2}$ is the amount or volume of oxygen inhaled
during exercise, as workload increases, $V_{O_2}$ should increase until it hits a threshold
this threshold is peak $V_{O_2}$ , point of highest oxygen intake
It's a measure of aerobic capacity before anaerobic metabolism increases
low peak $V_{O_2}$ carries poor prognosis¹
normal $V_{O_2}$ means normal exam (no cardiopulmonary, neuromuscular disease), obese patient (reaching predicted volume but feeling short of breath because of deconditioning) or early disease (feeling short of breath because of disease but still reaching predicted volume)
low $V_{O_2}$ could mean disease but could also be poor effort²

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