[Exercise test in prescribing respiratory rehabilitation].

Pulmonary rehabilitation is indicated to a wide population of patients suffering of pulmonary diseases often associated to a cardiovascular disorder. Best evaluation of the results of an exercise program, must consider the alterations of pulmonary function tests, the cardiac dysfunction, the non specific bronchial hyperresponsivness and the lung inflation. Exercise test is often performed on a cycle ergometer with an incremental or a constant load. The indications of the exercise test are: diagnostic (evaluation of effort performance, ventilatory drive and looking for an associated disorder as cardiovascular, muscles or metabolic), therapeutic (individualization of exercise program) and scientific (objective evaluation of immediate and long term results).