The Heart Center at St. Rita's
Pediatric Exercise Challenge
Used to Diagnose Exercise Induced Asthma
The pediatric exercise challenge is a test that includes: spirometry, lung volumes and spirometry repeated after exercise and a bronchodilator is given to the patient.

What You Should Know
If you are scheduled to receive the pediatric exercise challenge, you should arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled test time and check in with St. Rita's Outpatient Registration. This area is located on the first floor of the Medical Center behind the Information Desk in the main lobby.

Before the test, you should:

  • Do Not Use the Following Inhalers for at least Four to Six Hours Before the Test:
    • Albuterol
    • Proventil
    • Ventolin
    • Alupent
    • Maxair
    • Brethaire
    • Atrovent
    • Combivent
  • Do Not Use Serevent or Advair Inhalers for at Least 12 Hours Before the Test (If you are unable to go this amount of time without your inhaler, please make a note of the last time you used it.)
  • No Caffeine (Coffee, Cola, Tea or Chocolate) for at Least Six Hours Before the Test
  • No Smoking or Alcohol the Day of the Test
  • You May Eat a Light Meal Before the Test if You Choose
  • Avoid Cold Air Exposure and Exercise if Possible
  • Wear Comfortable Clothing and Running Shoes

This test should take about 30 minutes to complete. The patient will be asked to wear nose clips and breathe through a special mouthpiece as directed by the technologist. After obtaining baseline measurements, the patient will begin exercising either on a treadmill or bicycle. The breathing tests will again be repeated. Finally, an inhaled bronchodilator will be administered and the breathing tests will be repeated.

A specially trained physician will interpret the test within 24 hours and send the results to the referring physician.

For More Information
(419) 226-9077
Map & Directions Map & Directions

 

Scheduling:
Appointment times are available Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To schedule an appointment, contact St. Rita’s Central Scheduling at
(419) 226-9056, Monday through Friday from
8:00 a.m. through
5:30 p.m.