Controversy exists regarding the effects of beta-blocker medications on functional capacity in cardiac patients and in the effects of disease-related impairments on cardiorespiratory dynamics during exercise testing. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the exercise responses of 26 subjects (ages 37-66 years) to a graded exercise test. Subjects were divided into three groups based on clinical status: apparently healthy (AH; N=8); cardiacs receiving beta-blockers (C-BB; N=8); cardiacs not receiving beta-blockers (Câ NBB; N=lO). / Master of Science