Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2005; 26: S19-S27
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-830507
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Ambulatory Gas Exchange Measurements - Current Status and Future Options

T. Meyer1 , R. C. R. Davison2 , W. Kindermann1
  • 1Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine, University of Saarland, Saarbrücken, Germany
  • 2Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: June 25, 2004

Publication Date:
22 December 2004 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

This article summarizes the scientific literature on portable devices used for the measurement of gas exchange during exercise. Firstly, the results from validity investigations are reviewed in terms of accuracy, reliability, and influence of additional weight during field testing. On the basis of these findings, at least two of the most often tested portable devices, MetaMax I/II and K2/K4 b2, can be regarded as valid, with their results not differing substantially from (stationary) metabolic carts. The second part of the article provides an overview of ambulatory gas exchange applications which have been investigated so far. There is a number of descriptive (cross-sectional) studies that characterize the physiological profiles of different sports. In addition, some diagnostic tests of functional capacity have been validated, and a few investigations have assessed nutritional interventions and their effect on metabolism. Some indicate potential future directions including an evaluation of the efficacy of modifying metabolic pathways during exercise, e. g. by specifically designed training. Also, the extension of descriptive/cross-sectional investigations to typical training sessions will be worthwhile.

Key words

Metabolism - portable device - oxygen uptake - ventilation - field testing

References

  • 1 Atkinson G. What is this thing called measurement error?. Reilly TM, Marfell-Jones M Kinanthropometry VIII: Proceedings of the 8th International Conference of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). London; Taylor & Francis 2003: 3-14
    Google Scholar
  • 2 Atkinson G, Nevill A M. Statistical methods for assessing measurement error (reliability) in variables relevant to sports medicine.  Sports Med. 1998;  26 217-238
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Ballal M A, Macdonald I A. An evaluation of the Oxylog as a portable device with which to measure oxygen consumption.  Clin Phys Physiol Meas. 1982;  3 57-65
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Beneke R, Sievers U, Buschkow S, Erasmus J. Portables Spirometrie-Telemetrie-System vs. Laborspirometer - Gerätevergleich unter Laborbedingungen (Portable spirometry-telemetry-system vs. laboratory metabolic cart - comparison under laboratory conditions).  Dtsch Z Sportmed. 1995;  46 403-408
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Bigard A-X, Guezennec C-Y. Evaluation of the Cosmed K2 telemetry system during exercise at moderate altitude.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995;  27 1333-1338
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Carter J, Jeukendrup A E. Validity and reliability of three commercially available breath-by-breath respiratory systems.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2002;  86 435-441
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Coen B, Gietzen S, Meyer T, Kindermann W. Influence of a portable spirometer on performance diagnostic parameters in long-distance runners.  Int J Sports Med. 1999;  20 (Suppl 1) S26
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Coetsee M F. Validation of the Cortex MetaMax portable ergospirometry system.  S Afr J Res Sport. 1998;  21 11-19
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Crandall C G, Taylor S L, Raven P B. Evaluation of the Cosmed K2 portable telemetric oxygen uptake analyzer.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1994;  26 108-111
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Crouter S, Foster C, Esten P, Brice G, Porcari J P. Comparison of incremental treadmill exercise and free range running.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;  33 644-647
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Cureton K J, Sparling P B, Evans B W, Johnson S M, Kong U D, Purvis J W. Effect of experimental alterations in excess weight on aerobic capacity and distance running performance.  Med Sci Sports. 1978;  10 194-199
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 de Groot G, Schreurs A W, van Ingen Schenau G J. A portable lightweight Douglas bag instrument for use during various types of exercise.  Int J Sports Med. 1983;  4 132-134
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 de Koning J J, Foster C, Bobbert M F, Hettinga F, Lampen J. Aerobic and anaerobic kinetics during speed skating competition.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003;  35 364
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Devienne M-F, Guezennec C-Y. Energy expenditure of horse riding.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2000;  82 499-503
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Dobrosielski D A, Brubaker P H, Berry M J, Ayabe M, Miller H S. The metabolic demand of golf in patients with heart disease and in healthy adults.  J Cardiopulm Rehabil. 2002;  22 96-104
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Doyon K H, Perrey S, Abe D, Hughson R L. Field testing of V·O2peak in cross-country skiers with portable breath-by-breath system.  Can J Appl Physiol. 2001;  26 1-11
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Eisenmann J C, Brisko N, Shadrick D, Welsh S. Comparative analysis of the Cosmed Quark b2 and K4b2 gas analysis systems during submaximal exercise.  J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2003;  43 150-155
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Faggiano P, D'Aloia A, Gualeni A, Lavatelli A, Giordano A. Assessment of oxygen uptake during the 6-minute walking test in patients with heart failure: preliminary experience with a portable device.  Am Heart J. 1997;  134 203-206
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Ferrauti A, Bergeron M F, Pluim B M, Weber K. Physiological responses in tennis and running with similar oxygen uptake.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2001;  85 27-33
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Ferrauti A, Predel G, Weber K, Rost R. Physiological demand of golf and tennis from a health perspective [Beanspruchungsprofil von Golf und Tennis aus gesundheitssportlicher Sicht].  Dtsch Z Sportmed. 1997;  48 263-269
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Ferrauti A, Schulz H, Knezevic D, Heck H, Weber K. Measurement of oxygen uptake and energy cost in tennis by means of a portable spirometry-telemetry-system.  Int J Sports Med. 1998;  19 S22
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Frederick E C, Daniels J, Hayes J. The effect of shoe weight on the aerobic demands of running. Bachl N, Prokop L, Suckert R Proceedings of the World Congress on Sports Medicine, Vienna, 1982. Vienna; Urban & Schwarzenberg 1984: 616-625
    Google Scholar
  • 23 Friedmann B, Frese F, Bärtsch P. Ergospirometriesysteme vs. Douglas-Bag-Methode: Evaluation einer stationären und einer portablen Meßeinheit (Ergospirometry systems vs. Douglas-Bag-method: evaluation of a laboratory device and a portable system).  Dtsch Z Sportmed. 1998;  49 67-70
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Greig C, Saunders D, Renfree A, Lewis S, Young A. Reliability of oxygen uptake measured in very elderly women using the MetaMax 3 B system. Mester J, King G, Strüder H, Tsolakidis E, Osterburg A Book of Abstracts of the 6th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, 15th Congress of the German Society of Sport Science. Köln; Sport und Buch Strauss 2001: 616
    Google Scholar
  • 25 Hausswirth C, Bigard A X, Le Chevalier J M. The Cosmed K4 telemetry system as an accurate device for oxygen uptake measurements during exercise.  Int J Sports Med. 1997;  18 449-453
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Heller J. Energy cost and cardiorespiratory demands of nunchaku exercise.  J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2000;  40 217-222
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Hoff J, Wisloff U, Engen L C, Kemi O J, Helgerud J. Soccer specific aerobic endurance training.  Br J Sports Med. 2002;  36 218-221
    Google Scholar
  • 28 Humphrey S JE, Wolff H S. The oxylog.  J Physiol. 1977;  267 12
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Hynynen E, Kalliokoski K, Häkkinen K, Rusko H K. Physiological comparison of classical vs. free style skiing in adolescent cross-country skiers, Jyväskylä, Finland, 19 - 23 July 2000. Avela J, Komi PV, Komulainen J Proceedings - 5th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science. Jyväskylä; Gummerus Kirjapaino Oy 2000: 337
    Google Scholar
  • 30 Ikegami Y, Hiruta S, Ikegami H, Miyamura M. Development of a telemetry system for measuring oxygen uptake during sports activities.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1988;  57 622-626
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Jacobs P L, Olvey S E, Johnson B M, Cohn K A. Physiological responses to high-speed, open-wheel racecar driving.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002;  34 2085-2090
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Jensen K, Franch J, Kärkkäinen O, Madsen K. Field measurements of oxygen uptake in elite orienteers during cross-country running using telemetry.  Scand J Med Sci Sports. 1994;  4 234-238
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Jensen K, Johansen L, Kärkkäinen O P. Economy in track runners and orienteers during path and terrain running.  J Sports Sci. 1999;  17 945-950
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Jones A M, Doust J H. A 1 % treadmill grade most accurately reflects the energetic cost of outdoor running.  J Sports Sci. 1996;  14 321-327
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Jones N L, Kane J W. Quality control of exercise test measurements.  Med Sci Sports. 1979;  11 368-372
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Kannagi T, Bruce R A, Hossack K F, Chang K, Kusumi F, Trimble S. An evaluation of the Beckman Metabolic Cart for measuring ventilation and aerobic requirements during exercise.  J Cardiac Rehab. 1983;  3 38-53
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 Kawakami Y, Nozaki D, Matsuo A, Fukunaga T. Reliability of measurement of oxygen uptake by a portable telemetric system.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1992;  65 409-414
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Kemi O J, Hoff J, Engen L C, Helgerud J, Wisloff U. Soccer specific testing of maximal oxygen uptake.  J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2003;  43 139-144
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 39 Kerdok A E, Biewener A A, McMahon T A, Weyand P G, Herr H M. Energetics and mechanics of human running on surfaces of different stiffnesses.  J Appl Physiol. 2002;  92 469-478
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 40 Kervio G, Carre F, Ville N S. Reliability and intensity of the six-minute walk test in healthy elderly subjects.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003;  35 169-174
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 41 King G A, McLaughlin J E, Howley E T, Bassett Jr D R, Ainsworth B E. Validation of Aerosport KB1-C portable metabolic system.  Int J Sports Med. 1999;  20 304-308
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 42 La Mere V J, Brown K, Wigglesworth J K, Edwards J E. Reproducibility between three metabolic systems and validation by Douglas bag method.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1993;  25 (Suppl 5) S9
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 43 Larsson P, Henriksson-Larsén K. The use of dGPS and simultaneous metabolic measurements during orienteering.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;  33 1919-1924
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 44 Larsson P U, Wadell K ME, Jakobsson E JI, Burlin L U, Henriksson-Larsén K B. Validation of the MetaMax II portable metabolic measurement system.  Int J Sports Med. 2004;  25 115-123
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 45 Lewillie L, Sneppe R. Telemetric measurement of the respiratory function.  Ergonomics. 1968;  11 77-81
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 46 Lloyd R, Cooke C B. The oxygen consumption associated with unloaded walking and load carriage using two different backpack designs.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2000;  81 486-492
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 47 Lota M J. Portable radio-spirometer for telemetric studies of pulmonary ventilation.  Arch Physiol Med. 1967;  48 311-316
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 48 Lothian F, Farrally M R, Mahoney C. Validity and reliability of the Cosmed K2 to measure oxygen uptake.  Can J Appl Physiol. 1993;  18 197-206
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 49 Louhevaara V, Ilmarinen J. Comparison of three field methods for measuring oxygen consumption.  Ergonomics. 1985;  28 463-470
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 50 Lucía A, Fleck S J, Gotshall R W, Kearney J T. Validity and reliability of the Cosmed K2 instrument.  Int J Sports Med. 1993;  14 380-386
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 51 MacDougall J D, Hughson R, Sutton J R, Moroz J R. The energy cost of cross-country skiing among elite competitors.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1979;  11 270-273
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 52 Macfarlane D J. Automated metabolic gas analysis systems - a review.  Sports Med. 2001;  31 841-861
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 53 MacSween A, Johnson N J, Armstrong G, Bonn J. A validation of the 10-meter incremental shuttle walk test as a measure of aerobic power in cardiac and rheumatoid arthritis patients.  Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2001;  82 807-810
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 54 McLaughlin J E, King G A, Howley E T, Bassett Jr D R, Ainsworth B E. Validation of the COSMED K4 b2 portable metabolic system.  Int J Sports Med. 2001;  22 280-284
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 55 McNeill G, Cox M D, Rivers J PW. The Oxylog oxygen consumption meter: a portable device for measurement of energy expenditure.  Am J Clin Nutr. 1987;  45 1415-1419
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 56 Meyer T, Gabriel H HW, Auracher M, Scharhag J, Kindermann W. Metabolic profile of 4 hours cycling in the field with varying amounts of carbohydrate supply.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2003;  88 431-437
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 57 Meyer T, Georg T, Becker C, Kindermann W. Reliability of gas exchange measurements from two different spiroergometry systems.  Int J Sports Med. 2002;  22 593-597
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 58 Meyer T, Welter J-P, Scharhag J, Kindermann W. Maximal oxygen uptake during field running does not exceed that measured during treadmill exercise.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2003;  88 387-389
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 59 Miles D S, Cox M H, Verde T J. Four commonly utilized metabolic systems fail to produce similar results during submaximal and maximal exercise.  Sport Med Train Rehab. 1994;  5 189-198
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 60 Myers M J, Steudel K. Effect of limb mass and its distribution on the energetic cost of running.  J Exp Biol. 1985;  116 363-373
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 61 Novitsky S, Segal K R, Chatr-Aryamontri B, Guvakov D, Katch V L. Validity of a new portable indirect calorimeter: the AeroSport TEEM 100.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1995;  70 462-467
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 62 Oka Y, Utsuyama N, Noda K, Kimura M. Studies of radio telemetering on EKG and respiratory movements during running, jumping and swimming.  Med Electron Biol Engin. 1963;  1 578-579
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 63 Onorati P, Antonucci R, Valli G, Berton E, De Marco F, Serra P, Palange P. Non-invasive evaluation of gas exchange during a shuttle walking test vs. a 6-min walking test to assess exercise tolerance in COPD patients.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2003;  89 331-336
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 64 Palange P, Forte S, Onorati P, Manfredi F, Serra P, Carlone S. Ventilatory and metabolic adaptations to walking and cycling in patients with COPD.  J Appl Physiol. 2000;  88 1715-1720
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 65 Peel C, Utsey C. Oxygen consumption using the K2 telemetry system and a metabolic cart.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1993;  25 396-400
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 66 Pinnington H C, Wong P, Tay J, Green D, Dawson B. The level of accuracy and agreement in measures of FEO2, FECO2 and VE between the Cosmed K4b2 portable, respiratory gas analysis system and a metabolic cart.  J Sci Med Sport. 2001;  4 324-335
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 67 Poortmans J R, Colinet C, Lehner C, Francaux M. Energy system utilization during wall climbing.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;  32 (Suppl 5) S161
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 68 Reiser M, Meyer T, Kindermann W, Daugs R. Transferability of workload measurements between three different types of ergometer.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2000;  82 245-249
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 69 Reybrouck T, Deroost F, van der Hauwaert L G. Evaluation of breath-by-breath measurement of respiratory gas exchange in pediatric exercise testing.  Chest. 1992;  102 147-152
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 70 Schulz H, Helle S, Heck H. The validity of the telemetric system CORTEX X1 in the ventilatory and gas exchange measurement during exercise.  Int J Sports Med. 1997;  18 454-457
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 71 Sheel A W, Seddon N, Knight A, McKenzie D C, Warburton D ER. Physiological responses to indoor rock-climbing and their relationship to maximal cycle ergometry.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003;  35 1225-1231
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 72 Siler W L. Is running style and economy affected by wearing respiratory apparatus?.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1993;  25 260-264
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 73 Smekal G, von Duvillard S P, Pokan R, Lang K, Baron R, Tschan H, Hofmann P, Bachl N. Respiratory gas exchange and lactate measures during competitive orienteering.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003;  35 682-689
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 74 Smekal G, von Duvillard S P, Pokan R, Tschan H, Baron R, Hofmann P, Wonisch M, Bachl N. Changes in blood lactate and respiratory gas exchange measures in sports with discontinuous load profile.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2003;  89 489-495
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 75 Stegmann H, Kindermann W, Schnabel A. Lactate kinetics and individual anaerobic threshold.  Int J Sports Med. 1981;  2 160-165
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 76 Terrier P, Ladetto Q, Merminod B, Schutz Y. Measurement of the mechanical power of walking by satellite positioning system (GPS).  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;  33 1912-1918
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 77 Torvik P-O, Helgerud J. The validity of the portable metabolic test system Cortex MetaMax. Müller E, Schwameder H, Raschner C, Lindinger S, Kornexl E Tagungsband Int. Congress on Science and Skiing. Hamburg; Dr. Kovacs-Verlag 2001: 641-654
    Google Scholar
  • 78 Troosters T, Vilaro J, Rabinovich R, Casas A, Barbera J A, Rodriguez-Roisin R, Roca J. Physiological responses to the 6-min walk test in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.  Eur Respir J. 2002;  20 564-569
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 79 Versteeg P GA, Kippersluis G J. Automated systems for measurement of oxygen uptake during exercise testing.  Int J Sports Med. 1989;  10 107-112
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 80 Vogiatzis I, De Vito G, Rodio A, Madaffari A, Marchetti M. The physiological demands of sail pumping in Olympic level windsurfers.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2002;  86 450-454
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 81 Welk G J, Blair S N, Wood K, Jones S, Thompson R W. A comparative evaluation of three accelerometry-based physical activity monitors.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;  32 489-497
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 82 Wideman L, Stoudemire N M, Pass K A, McGinnes C L, Gaesser G A, Weltman A. Assessment of the Aerosport TEEM 100 portable metabolic measurement system.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1996;  28 509-515
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 83 Wu Y J, Chen S Y, Lin M C, Lan C, Lai J S, Lien I N. Energy expenditure of wheeling and walking during prosthetic rehabilitation in a woman with bilateral transfemoral amputations.  Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2001;  82 265-269
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 84 Zapf J, Fröhlich H, Lämmle T, Burtscher M, Schmidt W. Breathing gas analysis at extreme altitudes by a portable ergospirometry system during standardised exercise testing and real ascent up to 7000 m.  Int J Sports Med. 2002;  23 S79
    PubMedGoogle Scholar

T. Meyer

Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine, University of Saarland, Faculty of Clinical Medicine

Campus, Bldg. 39.1

66123 Saarbrücken

Germany

Phone: + 49(0)681-3023750

Fax: + 49 (0) 681 - 3 02 42 96

Email: tim.meyer@mx.uni-saarland.de