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Validation of a new portable ergospirometric device (Oxycon Mobile) during exercise
1Swiss Paraplegic Centre, Institute for Clinical Research, Nottwil, Switzerland. claudio.perret@paranet.ch
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|May 27, 2006
Summary
The portable Oxycon Mobile spirometric device showed inaccuracies in measuring oxygen consumption (VO2) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) during exercise compared to the Oxycon Pro. Researchers advise against comparing data from the portable device with laboratory measurements.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Respiratory Physiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Accurate measurement of gas exchange during exercise is crucial for performance assessment.
- Portable spirometric devices offer convenience but require validation against established systems.
- The Oxycon Mobile is a new portable telemetric device for measuring respiratory gas exchange during physical activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of the portable Oxycon Mobile device.
- To compare its performance against a stationary, accurate device (Oxycon Pro).
- To assess device accuracy across a range of exercise intensities.
Main Methods:
- Fifteen endurance-trained athletes participated in the study.
- Subjects underwent incremental and endurance exercise tests on separate occasions.
- Gas exchange variables (VO2, VCO2, RER) were measured simultaneously using both Oxycon Mobile and Oxycon Pro.
Main Results:
- Oxycon Mobile reported significantly lower VO2 values at 200W and 250W during incremental tests.
- VCO2 measurements showed no significant differences, though Oxycon Mobile tended to measure higher.
- Oxycon Mobile recorded significantly higher RER values across all tested workloads.
Conclusions:
- The Oxycon Mobile demonstrates significant discrepancies in VO2 and RER measurements compared to the Oxycon Pro.
- Direct comparison of gas exchange data between Oxycon Mobile and laboratory-based systems is not recommended.
- Extrapolating substrate utilization data from Oxycon Mobile measurements may be inappropriate due to observed inaccuracies.
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