Which protocol is used in pulmonary function testing to assess exercise-induced airway changes?

• A. Exercise challenge test
• B. Resting ECG only
• C. MRI of the chest
• D. Blood glucose monitoring during exercise

Answer: (A)

When you want to detect exercise-induced changes in the airways, the test used is an exercise challenge. This pulmonary function testing protocol deliberately provokes bronchoconstriction by having you exercise (on a treadmill or cycle ergometer) to a targeted intensity, then measures airway function with spirometry before and after exercise. A drop in a key measure like FEV1 after exercise—typically assessed at several time points—indicates exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. This direct provocation is why the exercise challenge is the best choice for assessing how the airways respond to exercise.

Resting ECG only doesn’t evaluate airway changes. MRI of the chest provides structural imaging, not functional airway response to exercise. Monitoring blood glucose during exercise tracks metabolic status, not airway reactivity.