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A new method to estimate energy expenditure from abdominal and rib cage distances

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Abstract

The aim of this paper is to validate a new method of energy expenditure (EE) estimation stemming solely from the measurement of rib cage, abdominal and chest wall distances. We set out to prove that the variations of these distances, measured by two pairs of electromagnetic coils, lead to the estimation of the ventilation (\( \dot{V}_{E} \)) and the EE. Eleven subjects were recruited to take part in this study (27.6 ± 5.4 years; 73.7 ± 9.7 kg). Each subject participated in two tests. The objective of Test 1 was to determine the individual and group equations between the \( \dot{V}_{E} \) and EE during light to moderate activities while Test 2 compared the two pairs of electromagnetic coils with the indirect calorimetry so as to estimate EE in upright sitting and standing positions and during walking exercises. During Test 2, we compared EE measured by indirect calorimetry (EEIC-Val-REF) with EE estimated by the two pairs of electromagnetic coils through the application of: (1) the individual equation (EEmag-Val-INDIV) and (2) the group equation (EEmag-val-GROUP). The results show that there is no significant difference between EEIC-Val-REF and EEmag-Val-INDIV and between EEIC-Val-REF and EEmag-val-GROUP for each activity. Furthermore, the mean difference seems to show that the estimation of EE is better with the group equation. In conclusion, on the proven basis of this study we are able to validate this new method which permits the estimation of EE from abdominal and rib cage distances. This study also highlights the advantage of using a group equation to the estimate EE.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge all the subjects for their participation in the study. We also wish to honor the memory of Delphine Thévenet by dedicating her this article.

Conflict of interest

This study was funded through the SVP (“SurVeiller pour Prévenir”) and the “PucesCom.Santé” projects. There is no conflict of interest in this research. The six authors have participated in the development and implementation of the protocol and in the writing of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory « Movement, Sport and health Sciences » (M2S): Physiology and Biomechanics. UFR APS University Rennes 2, Avenue Charles Tillon, CS 24414, 35044, Rennes Cedex, France

    S. Gastinger, G. Nicolas, A. Sorel & A. Gratas-Delamarche

  2. University Rennes 1, 263 avenue Général Leclerc, CS 74205, 35042, Rennes Cedex, France

    H. Sefati

  3. ENS-Cachan, Brittany Branch, Campus of Ker-Lann, 35170, Bruz Cedex, France

    J. Prioux

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  1. S. Gastinger
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  2. H. Sefati
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  4. A. Sorel
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  5. A. Gratas-Delamarche
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  6. J. Prioux
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Correspondence to S. Gastinger.

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Communicated by Susan A. Ward.

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Gastinger, S., Sefati, H., Nicolas, G. et al. A new method to estimate energy expenditure from abdominal and rib cage distances. Eur J Appl Physiol 111, 2823–2835 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-1900-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-1900-9

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