Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Measuring Respiratory Function in Mice Using Unrestrained Whole-body Plethysmography
Published on: August 12, 2014
Reliability of respiratory inductive plethysmography for measuring tidal volume during exercise
D M Caretti1, P V Pullen, L A Premo
1U.S. Army Edgewood Research, Development and Engineering Center, Respiratory Protection Technology Team, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5423.
Abstract:
This study was designed to determine the reliability of measurements of respiratory volumes obtained with a respiratory inductive plethysmograph (RIP) during exercise. Tidal volumes (VT) from the RIP were compared with simultaneous flowmeter volumes in 8 healthy subjects at 5 incremental work rates of 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 W during cycling and treadmill exercise. During cycling, average RIP and flowmeter values did not differ significantly at work rates below 180 W for 63% of the subjects. Average RIP and flowmeter VT were similar at work rates below 180 W for 50% of the subjects, and for 83% of the subjects at intensities below 150 W. The variability in these results may be attributed to several factors including RIP calibration errors and slippage of the RIP elastic bands containing the inductive coils. Correlations of breath-by-breath flowmeter and RIP VT were significant for subjects during cycling (R = 0.73, P < 0.05) and treadmill exercise (R = 0.78, P < 0.05). These findings suggest that the RIP should be considered a semi-quantitative method for measurements of tidal volume during exercise with and without respirator wear.
Related Concept Videos
Assessment of Ventilation I: Respiratory Rate
A Ventilation assessment is critical for monitoring a patient's health status. Respiration, one of the most accessible vital signs, provides insights into the function of numerous body systems and can indicate serious health issues, such as brainstem injuries from head trauma.
Critical Guidelines for Assessing Ventilation:
Respiratory Volumes and Capacities I
Respiratory Volumes
Tidal Volume (TV) Tidal volume (TV) is the air inhaled or exhaled in a...
Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement:
Pulmonary Ventilation: Inhalation
Boyle's law becomes particularly pertinent when examining respiratory...
Respiratory Volumes and Capacities

