Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate two versions of the Oxycon Mobile portable metabolic system (OMPS1 and OMPS2) in a wide range of oxygen uptake, using the Douglas bag method (DBM) as criterion method. The metabolic variables \( \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2} , \dot{V}{\text{CO}}_{2} , \) respiratory exchange ratio and \( \dot{V}_{\text{E}} \) were measured during submaximal and maximal cycle ergometer exercise with sedentary, moderately trained individuals and athletes as participants. Test–retest reliability was investigated using the OMPS1. The coefficients of variation varied between 2 and 7% for the metabolic parameters measured at different work rates and resembled those obtained with the DBM. With the OMPS1, systematic errors were found in the determination of \( \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2} \) and \( \dot{V}{\text{CO}}_{2} . \) At submaximal work rates \( \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2} \) was 6–14% and \( \dot{V}{\text{CO}}_{2} \) 5–9% higher than with the DBM. At \( \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2\max } \) both \( \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2} \) and \( \dot{V}{\text{CO}}_{2} \) were slightly lower as compared to DBM (−4.1 and −2.8% respectively). With OMPS2, \( \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2} \) was determined accurately within a wide measurement range (about 1–5.5 L min−1), while \( \dot{V}{\text{CO}}_{2} \) was overestimated (3–7%). \( \dot{V}_{\text{E}} \) was accurate at submaximal work rates with both OMPS1 and OMPS2, whereas underestimations (4–8%) were noted at \( \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2\max } .\) The present study is the first to demonstrate that a wide range of \( \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2} \) can be measured accurately with the Oxycon Mobile portable metabolic system (second generation). Future investigations are suggested to clarify reasons for the small errors noted for \( \dot{V}_{\text{E}} \) and \( \dot{V}{\text{CO}}_{2} \) versus the Douglas bag measurements, and also to gain knowledge of the performance of the device under applied and non-laboratory conditions.
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Acknowledgments
We thank the volunteers for their dedicated participation in the study. The study was supported by grants from the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (GIH), the Elite Sports Centre, Swedish Sports Confederation, the Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, the Swedish Centre for Sports Research, the Research Funds of the Swedish Road Administration and the Public Health Funds of the Stockholm County Council. Carefusion Germany 234 GmbH, Hoechberg, Germany is thanked for providing the portable equipment for the study. The authors have no conflicts of interest in any of the products or companies mentioned in the report. We thank Professors emeritus Björn Ekblom and Per-Olof Åstrand for valuable advice.
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Communicated by Susan Ward.
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Rosdahl, H., Gullstrand, L., Salier-Eriksson, J. et al. Evaluation of the Oxycon Mobile metabolic system against the Douglas bag method. Eur J Appl Physiol 109, 159–171 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-009-1326-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-009-1326-9