Summary
A simple method for calculating breath by breath O2 uptake by the conventional open circuit method is described. Each expiratory volume is collected in a collapsible bag (4 l capacity) surrounded by a rigid box connected to a spirometer. A system of tubes with two solenoid valves operated by a manual switch allows the collection of air into the bag, during expiration, and its emptying by a vacuum pump during inspiration, respectively. The sampling line of a fast responding O2 and CO2 analyzer, together with temperature and pressure probes are inserted into the tube connecting the bag to the vacuum. The expired volume is therefore recorded (by the spirometer output) during expiration and its composition analyzed during the immediately following inspiratory phase, thus allowing gas exchange measurements to be performed on each single breath. VO2 measured by this method at steady state over periods of about 1 min yields substantially the same values as obtained by standard open circuit method (average ratio = 1.01). Ventilations up to 150 l/min (ATPS) and respiratory rates up to 60/min can be easily followed. The simplicity of VO2 calculation, and the very limited dead space of the system (about 70 ml, downstream the expiratory valve), make this method particularly suitable for determining VO2 kinetics at the onset and offset of exercise.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Beaver WL, Wasserman K, Whipp BJ (1973) On line computer analysis and breath-by-breath graphical display of exercise functions tests. J Appl Physiol 32: 128–132
Casaburi R, Whipp BJ, Wasserman K, Beaver WL, Koyal SN (1977) Ventilatory and gas exchange dynamics in response to sinusoidal work. J Appl Physiol 42: 300–311
Casaburi R, Whipp BJ, Wasserman K, Koyal SN (1978) Ventilatory and gas exchange responses to cycling with sinusoidally varying pedal rate. J Appl Physiol 44: 97–103
Cerretelli P, Sikand R, Farhi LE (1966) Readjustments in cardiac output and gas exchange during onset of exercise and recovery. J Appl Physiol 21: 1345–1350
Cerretelli P, Shindell D, Pendergast DR, di Prampero PE, Rennie DW (1977) Oxygen uptake transients at the onset and offset of arm and leg work. Respir Physiol 30: 81–97
Cerretelli P, Pendergast D, Paganelli WC, Rennie DW (1979) Effects of specific muscle training on VO2 on-response and early blood lactate. J Appl Physiol 47: 261–269
Diamond LB, Casaburi R, Wasserman K, Whipp BJ (1977) Kinetics of gas exchange and ventilation in transitions from rest or prior exercise. J Appl Physiol 43: 704–708
di Prampero PE, Davies CTM, Cerretelli P, Margaria R (1970) An analysis of O2 debt contracted in submaximal exercise. J Appl Physiol 29: 547–551
di Prampero PE, Peeters L, Margaria R (1973) Alactic O2 debt and lactic acid production after exhausting exercise in man. J Appl Physiol 34: 628–632
Hagberg JM, Nagle FJ, Carlson JL (1978) Transient O2 uptake response at the onset of exercise. J Appl Physiol 44: 90–92
Henry FM (1951) Aerobic oxygen consumption and alactic debt in muscular work. J Appl Physiol 3: 227–238
Linnarson D (1974) Dynamics of pulmonary gas exchange and heart rate changes at start and end of exercise. Acta Physiol Scand [Suppl] 215: 1–68
Margaria R, Mangili F, Cuttica F, Cerretelli P (1965) The kinetics of oxygen consumption at the onset of muscular exercise in man. Ergonomics 8: 29–52
Morabito A, Gussoni M, Veicsteinas A, Cerretelli P (1976) Acquisizione ed elaborazione di parametri respiratori mediante accoppiamento die strumenti di analisi con un calcolatore elettronico. Spring Meeting of the Ital Physiol Soc
Pearce DH, Wilhorn HT Jr, (1977a) Dynamic and steady state respiratory responses to bicycle exercise. J Appl Physiol 42: 959–967
Pearce DH, Willhorn HT Jr, Holloman GH Jr, Reynolds WJ (1977b) Computer-based system for analysis of respiratory responses to exercise. J Appl Physiol 42: 968–975
Wessel HV, Stout RL, Bastanier CK, Paul MH (1979) Breath-by-breath variation of FRC: effect of VO2 and VCO2 measured at the mouth. J Appl Physiol 46: 1122–1126
Whipp BJ (1971) Rate constant for the kinetics of oxygen uptake during light exercise. J Appl Physiol 30: 261–263
Whipp BJ, Wasserman K (1972) Oxygen uptake kinetics for various intensities of constant-load work. J Appl Physiol 33: 351–356
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Veicsteinas, A., Gussoni, M. A simple method for measuring oxygen uptake on a single breath basis. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 45, 19–24 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00421197
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00421197