A Review of the Evidence for the Use of Ventilation as a Surrogate Measure of Energy Expenditure

Abstract

Precise measurement of sedentary behavior and physical activity is necessary to characterize the dose-response relationship between these variables and health outcomes. The most frequently used methods employ portable devices to measure mechanical or physiological parameters (eg, pedometers, heart rate monitors, accelerometers). There is considerable variability in the accuracy of total energy expenditure (TEE) estimates from these devices. This review examines the potential of measurement of ventilation (VE) to provide an estimate of free-living TEE. The existence of a linear relationship between VE and energy expenditure (EE) was demonstrated in the mid-20th century. However, few studies have investigated this parameter as an estimate of EE due to the cumbersome equipment required to measure VE. Portable systems that measure VE without the use of a mouthpiece have existed for about 20 years (respiratory inductive plethysmography). However, these devices are adapted for clinical monitoring and are too cumbersome to be used in conditions of daily life. Technological innovations of recent years (small electromagnetic coils glued on the chest/back) suggest that VE could be estimated from variations in rib cage and abdominal distances. This method of TEE estimation is based on the development of individual/group calibration curves to predict the relationship between ventilation and oxygen consumption. The new method provides a reasonably accurate estimate of TEE in different free-living conditions such as sitting, standing, and walking. Further work is required to integrate these electromagnetic coils into a jacket or T-shirt to create a wearable device suitable for long-term use in free-living conditions.

New Respiratory Inductive Plethysmography (RIP) Method for Evaluating Ventilatory Adaptation during Mild Physical Activities

“…This effect, as seen in Fig 3 , was substantial and demonstrates that the RIP estimation of minute ventilation is merely adapted for submaximal exercise with a slight increase of Vt and respiratory rate. This has already been reported in previous studies, indicating that RIP cannot be used to record ventilation during an incremental exercise test up to the maximum of the subject’s respiratory capacity, because of the lack of accuracy for the highest values of Vt [ 4 ].…”

“…Respiratory inductive plethysmography (RIP) has been developed and validated to evaluate tidal ventilation during quiet breathing [ 1 – 3 ]. RIP relies on the measurement of the current induced by an alternating magnetic field in coils, which is a function of the surface encircled by the coil [ 4 ] namely, either ribcage or abdomen deformation within inspiration and expiration phases. The use of RIP instead of a PT may avoid bias associated with breathing through a mask or mouthpiece [ 5 ].…”

Analysis of energy metabolism in humans: A review of methodologies

“…Based on similar principles of the VO 2 -energy expenditure relationship, some argue for ventilation as a better surrogate marker of energy expenditure, with the advantage of ventilating variables (as compared to heart rate) are less sensitive to physical and mental stress that can significantly confound energy expenditure prediction [174]. As early as the 1950s, a linear relationship between ventilation and energy expenditure had been established that spans across the majority of everyday life activities [175].…”

Energy expenditure estimation from respiration variables

“…Another approach is the measurement of respiration variables 14 , 15 . Currently, there is a fair amount of newer developments that aim towards the assessment of respiration variables in free-living individuals 16 .…”