New CPET approach to tell apart heart problems from muscle weakness
Official title: Novel cardiopulmonary exercise testing variables to differentiate neuromuscular deconditioning from disease
Funded at Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center · NIH-11411311 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A doctor-guided study tests a modified cardiopulmonary exercise test that adds simple muscle-power measurements to better tell whether shortness of breath comes from heart disease or from weak, fatigued muscles.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Torrance, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $769,307 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL166850-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11411311 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients undergoing CPET who may have cardiac disease or neuromuscular deconditioning.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without dyspnea or fatigue related to cardiac or neuromuscular issues may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This study adds a quick set of isokinetic muscle tests to the standard CPET to separately measure muscle power and aerobic capacity during exercise. The goal is to help clinicians distinguish whether dyspnea or fatigue is due to cardiac disease or neuromuscular deconditioning. It uses commercially available equipment and adds less than 10 minutes to the usual CPET, keeping patient burden manageable. Results could improve risk assessment, treatment decisions, and personalized exercise prescriptions for patients with cardiac conditions or deconditioning. Participation would involve a CPET session with the additional muscle power measurements.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the test could improve accuracy in diagnosing the cause of dyspnea and guide better treatment and exercise plans.
How similar studies have gone: Prior CPET use has grown, and adding muscle measurements is a novel approach with initial promising signals.
Where this research is happening
-
Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Torrance, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rossiter, Harry B — Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Rossiter, Harry B
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.