LabI

OXYGENCONSUMPTION
Oxygen consumption (VO2) is the amount of oxygen taken up and utilized by the body
per minute. The oxygen taken into the body at the level of the lungs is ultimately transported by
the cardiovascular system to the systemic tissues and is used for the production of ATP in the
mitochondria of our cells. Because most of the energy in the body is produced aerobically, VO2
can be used to determine how much energy a subject is expending. VO2 can be reported in
absolute terms (L/min) or relative to body mass (ml/kg*min). Oxygen consumption is dependent
on the ability of the heart to pump out blood, the ability of the tissues to extract oxygen from the
blood, the ability to ventilate and the ability of the alveoli to extract oxygen from the air.
Atrest,nearlyallofthebodysenergydemandsarebeingmetbyaerobicmetabolic
processes,whichrequireoxygen.Themitochondriaarethesiteofaerobicmetabolisminthe
cells(aerobicmetabolismwillbecoveredingreaterdetailinlabslaterthisquarter).Ultimately,
oxygenisthefinalelectronacceptorintheelectrontransportchain,formingwaterintheprocess.
Asoxygenisbeingconsumed,carbondioxideisalsobeingproduced,andmustbeclearedfrom
thetissuestotheblood,andultimatelyblownoffintheexpiredair.
Therearetwogeneralmethodsofmeasuringoxygenconsumption:(1)theclosedcircuit
method,and(2)theopencircuitmethod.Theopencircuitmethodistheonethatwewillusein
ourlabs(itisalsothemorecommonmethodtobeusedinotherexerciselabsacrosstheworld).
Inopencircuitspirometrythesubjectinhalesairfromtheatmosphere,whiletheexhaledairis
directedintoacollectiondevicesuchasameteorologicalballoon,awetspirometer,orDouglas
bag.Thecollectedairisanalyzedtodeterminethefractionalcontentofexpiredoxygen(FEO2),
thefractionalcontentofexpiredcarbondioxide(FECO2),andthevolumeofairexpired(which
willbeusedtodeterminetheminuteventilation,VE,aswedidinthepreviouslab).FEO2and
FECO2aresimplythepercents(representedindecimalform)ofexpiredairthatareoxygenor
carbondioxide.OnceVE,FEO2andFECO2havebeendetermined,severalcalculationsare
thenmadetodetermineoxygenconsumption(andcarbondioxideproduction,aswellasother
calculations).
Inadditiontodeterminingoxygenconsumptionusingmeteorologicalballoons,gas
analyzers,andvolumemeters,wewillalsobedeterminingtheVO2maxofeachsubjectinthe
classusingametaboliccart.Ametaboliccartincludesgasanalyzersforoxygenandcarbon
dioxide,avolumemeterorpneumotachograph,acomputer,andfrequentlyalsorequiresa
mixingchamber.
Themaximalabilityofasubjecttotakeupandutilizeoxygenisfrequentlyreferredtoas
theirmaximumoxygenconsumption(VO2max)oraerobiccapacity.Becausetestsevaluating
VO2maxstresstheoxygendelivery(pulmonaryandcardiovascular)systemsandtheoxygen
consuming(tissues,especiallymuscleduringexercise),VO2maxisfrequentlythoughtofas
beingsynonymouswithaerobicfitness,anditisoneofseveralstrongpredictorsofendurance
performance.
Oxygenconsumptionisoneofthemostcommonlyassessedvariablesinthestudyof
exercisephysiology.Knowledgeofoxygenconsumptionpermits,notonlytheprecise
determinationofenergyexpenditure(seeAerobicenergycostofactivitylab),butalsothe
measurementoftheoverallphysiologicalstressimposedbyexercise.Theproceduresarenot
difficult,buttheydorequirecarefulattentiontodetail.Themethodswewillbeusingintodays
labhaveseveralpotentialuses:determiningmetabolicrate,oxygendeficit,excesspostexercise
oxygenconsumption(EPOC)orforassessingasubject'sanaerobicthreshold(AT).Wewillbe
Lab I - 1
dealingwithoxygenconsumptionandmaximaloxygenconsumptionandrelatedvariablesin
overhalfofourlabsthisquarter.Learningtheseformulasnowisveryimportant!
Todaywewillbeevaluatingoxygenconsumptionatrestandduringsteadystateexercise.
Figure 1. O2 Deficit & EPOC

1.8

O2 demand
1.5
O2
deficit
(L/min)

1.2
VO2

0.9

0.6

EPOC
0.3

0
-4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

Time (min)

OxygenDeficit
Whenexercisebegins,aerobicmetabolicprocessesarenotproducingATPrapidlyenough
tomeetthecell'sATPdemands.ThisdeficitinaerobicATPproductionnecessitatestheuseof
anaerobicmetabolismto"pickuptheslack"inmeetingthecell'sATPdemands.Furthermore,
thecardiovascularandpulmonarysystems,whiletheydorespondrapidly,theyrequiresome
amountoftimetoincreasecardiacoutputandventilation.Theoxygendeficitisequaltothe
oxygendemandsoftheactivityminustheactualoxygenconsumption(seeAppendixand
textbookforfigures).Anotherwaytoputitisthattheoxygendeficitisthedifferencebetween
theoxygenrequiredforagivenrateofwork(steadystate)andtheoxygenactuallyconsumed
(seefigure1,appendix,andtextbook).
AttheonsetofexercisethenowactivemusclescanuseO2thatisalreadypresentinthe
body(boundtohemoglobinandmyoglobin).Thatis,theseoxygenbindingproteinswillpartly
andtemporarilydesaturatetohelpmaintainpO2andmitochondrialrespirationuntilthebodys
cardiovascularandpulmonarysystemsincreasetheiractivityenoughtoincreaseO2deliveryto
themuscles.
Alsoattheonsetofexercise,twomajoranaerobicenergysystemscontributetoATP
productiontohelpmaintaincellularATPhomeostasisuntilaerobicmetabolismisabletomeet
theATPdemandsalone:thephosphocreatinesystemandanaerobicglycolysis.Thesimplestand
fastestmechanismofATPproductionistheATPPCsystem(alsocalledthephosphagenor
phosphocreatinesystem).Phosphocreatine(usuallyabbreviatedPCorPCr)isahighenergy
compoundthatcanreadily"donate"itsphosphategrouptoADPinordertorapidlyproduce
ATP.Thisreaction,whichiscatalyzedbytheenzymecreatinekinase,issummarizedbelow.

Lab I - 2
 Creatine Kinase
ADP & PCr ATP + Cr

This reaction is reversible and does not require oxygen. During exercise, when ATP is being
used rapidly and ADP concentrations increase, this reaction favors production of ATP at the
expense of PCr. During recovery, the PCr stores must be replenished (which, of course requires
ATP). The ATP-PC system is used at the beginning of any exercise bout, and because it can
produce ATP so quickly it is especially important for high intensity exercise lasting less than 10
seconds in duration.
Anaerobic glycolysis also contributes to the maintenance of cellular ATP concentrations
when the cells ATP demands are greater than aerobic metabolism is making it. The term
anaerobic means that these systems do not require oxygen. It is a common student
misconception that these systems are only used when the cells are lacking oxygen. This is false.
It is true that if a cell lacks oxygen it will have to rely on anaerobic energy systems to produce
ATP. However, most of the cells in our body typically are able to maintain oxygen
concentrations high enough for normal mitochondrial function; even during high intensity
exercise. In the process of using anaerobic glycolysis a couple of relevant events are occurring:
glycogen stores are being used and lactate is being produced.
Thereareseveralwaystodeterminetheoxygendemandsoftheactivity.Iftheexercise
boutisoflowtomoderateintensitythenthesimplestwaytodeterminetheoxygendemandisto
measureoxygenconsumptionduringexerciseboutanddeterminetheaveragesteadystate
oxygenconsumptionaftertheyhavereachedsteadystate.Oxygendeficitcanthenbecalculated
bysubtractingeachoftheoxygenconsumptionvaluespriortoreachingsteadystatefromthe
averagesteadystateoxygenconsumption.Inthenextlabwewilluseaslightlydifferent
proceduretocalculatean"accumulatedoxygendeficit",whichisamethodusedtodetermine
anaerobiccapacity.Whendeterminingtheaccumulatedoxygendeficit,aseriesofsubmaximal
workloadsareusedtodeterminetherelationshipbetweenworkloadandoxygenconsumption.
Oncethisisknown,onecanestimatetheoxygenconsumptionforanyworkload.
Insummary,whatallowsustomaintaincellularenergyhomeostasisbeforeweareableto
increaseoxygenconsumptionenoughtomeetthecellsenergydemands?UseofO2already
storedinthebody(boundtohemoglobinandmyoglobin),useofphosphocreatinestores,and
anaerobicglycolysis.

ExcessPostExerciseOxygenConsumption(EPOC)
Followinganyexercise,oxygenconsumptiondoesnotimmediatelydecreasebackto
restingvalues(seeappendixpage55).ThiselevatedVO2hastraditionallybeencalledoxygen
debtbecauseitwasbelievedthatallofthisexcessoxygenconsumptionafterexercisewas
neededtorepaytheO2deficit.Thetermoxygendebtisnolongerusedbecauseitisnow
understoodthatwhilesomeoftheexcessoxygenconsumptionisbeingusedtorepaytheoxygen
deficit,notalloftheexcessoxygenconsumptionisusedforthispurpose.Thecurrenttermfor
thisexcessoxygenconsumptionafterexerciseisEPOC,orexcesspostexerciseoxygen
consumption.EPOCisthetotaloxygenconsumedaboverestingvaluesduringtherecovery
period.ItisusuallymeasureduntilrecoveryVO2returnstoarestingsteadystatelevel.
ItwastheorizedformanyyearsthatEPOCwascomposedoftwodistinctcomponents;an
initialfastcomponentandaslowcomponent.Theinitialfastcomponentwasthoughtto
representtheoxygenrequiredtoreplenishtheATPPCsystemandtoreplenishthehemoglobin
andmyoglobinoxygenstoresusedduringtheveryearlystagesofexercise.Duringthe

Lab I - 3
secondaryslowcomponenttheexcessoxygenconsumptionwasthoughttobeusedtoremove
accumulatedlacticacidfromthetissues,byeitherconversiontoglycogenoroxidationtoCO2
andH2O,thusprovidingATPasasourceofenergyneededtoreplenishglycogenstores.While
thereissometruthtothesetheories,thereareotherreasonswhyoxygenconsumptionremains
elevatedafterexercise,andthatisthemajorreasonwhythetermO2debtisnolongerused.
Insummary,whydoesEPOCexist?InadditiontoreplenishingO2stores,phosphocreatine
stores,andglycogenstoresandclearinglactate,thefollowingfactorsarealsocontributetothe
increasedO2consumptionduringrecovery:elevatedtissuetemperature(Q10effect),increased
metabolismincardiacandrespiratorymuscles,andincreasedlevelsofcirculating
catecholomines(EpinephrineandNorepinephrinefromtheadrenalglandandsympathetic
neuronalspillover).IfIwereyou,itwouldbeagoodideatomaketheseintoalisttwolists,
actually;1.thingsthatcontributetoEPOCthatarerelatedtorepayingO2deficitand2.things
thatcontributetoEPOCthatareunrelatedtorepayingtheO2deficit.

Other introductory, basic exercise terminology used in the study of exercise physiology
Thereareanumberoftermsthatwewillusethroughoutthequarterinreferenceto
exerciseorthephysiologicalresponsetoexercise.Onetermthatyoushouldbefamiliarwithis
specificity.Specificityreferstothetypeofexerciseandactivitythatasubjectnormally
performs.Wheneverpossibleitisbesttotestandtrainasubjectthewaytheywillbeperforming
undernormalcircumstances.Specificityalsocanbeusedtorefertothetypesofenergysystems
(aerobicoranaerobic)thatthesubjectusuallyuses,themusclegroupsused,theyenvironment
theywouldnormallycompetein,thespeedofmovement,etc.
Whenwerefertothephysiologicalresponsetoexercisewemustdistinguishbetweenthe
physiologicalresponsetoacuteexerciseandchronicexercise.Thephysiologicalresponseto
acuteexercisereferstowhatishappeningphysiologicallyduringasingleexercisebout(see
appendixp.2),whereasthephysiologicalresponsetochronicexercisereferstohowthebody
adaptsphysiologicallytoexercisetraining(appendixp.3).Exercisetraining(chronicexercise)
canbeperformedusinganymodeofexercise.Themajorfactorsthatinfluencethephysiological
responsestoacuteorchronicexerciseare:intensity,duration,frequency,andrecovery.
Anexerciseboutperformedatalowtomoderateintensitywithaconstantworkloadis
calledasteadystateexercisebout.Thisisbecauseduringthistypeofexercise,many
physiologicalvariablesreachasteadyvalueandremainatthatvalueforaperiodoftime.Onthe
otherhand,duringagradedexercisetest,theintensityisincreasedperiodically(e.g.increased
everyminuteortwo),suchthatthephysiologicalstressonthebodyisbecomingprogressively
greater.
Twoothertermswillbeusedthroughoutthequarter,absoluteandrelative.Wewill
distinguishbetweenabsoluteandrelativeinmanydifferentcircumstances,makingitsomewhat
confusingformanystudents.Itisperhapseasiesttoexplainthesetermsusingafewexamples.
Exerciseintensityisfrequentlyreportedrelativetosomeabsolutemaximalvalue.Forexample,
asubjectwhosemaximalpoweroutputis300wattswhoisexercisingatanabsoluteintensityof
150wattsisexercisingatarelativeintensityof50%oftheirmaximum.Thetermsofabsolute
andrelativearealsousedinotherscenarios.Forexampleifyouwantedtocomparethepower
outputduringcyclingbetweentwosubjectsofdifferentsizes,itwouldbedifficulttomake
comparisonsbetweenthem.Thus,wefrequentlyreportvaluesrelativetobodymass.Thelarger
subjectwouldmostlikelyhavealargermaximalpoweroutputinwatts(absoluteterms)butmay
havethesamemaximalpoweroutputinwattsperkgofbodymass(relativeterms).Oxygen
Lab I - 4
consumptionisavariablethatwewillusuallyreportinbothabsolute(litersofoxygenconsumed
perminute)andinrelativeterms(millilitersofoxygenconsumedperkilogramofbodymassper
minute).
Reviewappendixpages3337,4651,and54asyoureadandcompletethislab.

LABORATORYPROCEDURES

I. MetabolicCartDemoandCalculationofO2deficitandEPOC.

A. Followingpreparationofthemetaboliccartthesubjectwillbefittedwithheadgear,
breathingvalveandanoseclip.Aheartratemonitorwillalsobeusedtodetermineheart
rate.
B. O2consumptionwillbemeasuredduringa510minrestperioduntilastablebaseline
hasbeenestablished.
C. Withnowarmuppermitted,thesubjectwillperforma10minworkboutatanintensity
thatwillallowasubanaerobicthresholdsteadystatetobeattained.
D. Followingthis10minexercise,O2consumptionwillbemeasuredcontinuouslypost
exerciseuntilallvalueshavereturnedtonearrestingvalues.Thismeasurewillprobably
lastbetween1030mindependingonaerobicfitnesscapacityofsubject.
E. Usingthecomputerprintout,calculateO2deficit;steadystateVO2actualexerciseVO2
priortoreachingsteadystateconditions.
F. Usingthecomputerprintout,calculatetheEPOC;VO2postexrestVO2atbaseline.
G. ThesizeoftheEPOCisdependentontheintensityanddurationoftheexercise.
CompletethesecondcalculationofEPOCwiththegivendata.Howdoesthesecond
calculationcomparethefirst.Howcanyouexplainthisdifference?

II. RestandExerciseGasCollectionandOxygenConsumptionCalculations

a. Onepersonshouldserveasasubjectfortherestingandtwoexercisebags.
b. Preparetheaircollectionequipment.Thisconsistsofaonewayrespiratoryvalve,a
rubbermouthpiece,noseclip,agascollectionbagandaflexiblehoseforjoiningthe
respiratoryvalvetothecollectionbag.Takethesubject'sbodyweight,inkilograms,and
recordthisinformationintheDataRecordingForm.Alsorecordtheenvironmental
conditions,asgivenbyyourinstructor.Thesubjectshouldbesittinginachairand
allowedtorestforaperiodoftimebeforetheaircollectionbegins.

Lab I - 5
c. Evacuateallairfromthecollectionbag.Todothis,firstremovetherespiratoryvalveand
thenturnthethreewayvalvetoopenthebagtotheatmosphere.Removeanyjewelry
withsharpprojectionsfromyourhandsandwristsbeforehandlingtheballoontoprevent
puncturingit.Gentlysqueezethebagandrollituptoforceoutalloftheair.Returnthe
valvetotheclosedpositionasthelastbitofairisremoved.
d. Connecttheonewayvalvetothegascollectionbagviatheconnectinghose.Besurethat
theconnectinghoseisattachedtothecorrectoutletoftherespiratoryvalve;otherwise,the
subjectwillnotbeabletobreathe.Attachthenoseclipfirmlyandplacethemouthpiece
betweentheteeth,withtheflangeplacedbetweenthetongueandlips.YOUMUST
ALWAYSBESURETHATTHEREARENOAIRLEAKSEVENVERYSMALL
LEAKSWILLCAUSEGROSSINACCURACIES.
e. Collectairtodeterminetherestingoxygenconsumption.Afterthesubjecthasbreathed
throughtherespiratoryapparatusfor3060seconds,turnthethreewayvalvesoexpired
airentersthecollectionballoonandstarttimingtheaircollectionperiod.PRECISE
TIMINGISESSENTIAL.Fortherestingcollection,collectexpiredairfor5minutesand
havethesubjectcountthenumberofbreathstheytakeforoneofthoseminutes;record
thisnumberastheirrespiratoryrate.Turnthevalveclosedafterexactly5minutes.For
exercisegascollections,onlycollectduringthelastminutesoftheexerciseboutandhave
yoursubjectcountandrecordtheirrespiratoryrateduringthisminute..ITIS
IMPORTANTTHATTHESUBJECTBREATHENORMALLY.THEYMUSTNOT
HYPERVENTILATE.
f. Whileyouarecollectingtherestinggassamplefromyoursubject,obtaintheambient
pressureandtemperatureinformationusingthebarometerandthermometerinthelab.
Also,usingestablishedtables(seeappendixandtablenexttothermometer)determinethe
pH2Oatthecurrenttemperature.Recordthesenumbers.Theywillbeusedtocalculate
thegascorrectionfactorsbelow.
g. Usingthegasanalyzers,analyzethecontentsofthebagforO2andCO2concentrations
(FEO2andFECO2)andrecordFEO2,FECO2(theseshouldberecordedasadecimal)and
samplevolumeonthedatasheet.Thesamplevolumeistheamountofairremovedfrom
thebagbythegasanalyzers.Thesegasanalyzerssuckairoutofthebagataparticular
rate.Forexampleitmightberemovingairfromthebagatarateof0.75Litersofairper
minute.Ifyouweretosampletheairfor30seconds,thentheamountofairtakenoutof
thebag(thesamplevolume)wouldbe0.375Liters.Thefractionalcontentofexpired
oxygen(FEO2)isthepercentoftheexpiredairthatisoxygenandthefractionalcontentof
expiredcarbondioxide(FECO2)isthepercentofexpiredairthatiscarbondioxide.
However,becausethesearefractionstheyareusuallyrepresentedasdecimals,not
percentages.Theairthatwebreatheis20.93%oxygenand0.03%carbondioxide.
Humansconsumeoxygenandproducecarbondioxide,thustheexpiredairwillbeless
than20.93%oxygenandwillbemorethan0.03%carbondioxide.Typicallythelungs
extract36%percentoftheairthatisoxygenfromtheairthatentersthelungs.Thus,the
percentofexpiredairthatisoxygenistypicallybetween15and18%(20.93%6%
15%and20.93%3%18%).Therefore,theFEO2isusuallybetween0.15and0.18.
TypicalvaluesforFECO2arebetween0.025and0.06(i.e.theexpiredairisbetween2.5
and6%carbondioxide).Itshouldbenotedthatifoneisextactingoxygenwell(goodgas
Lab I - 6
 exchange),thentheirFEO2willbelowerandtheirFECO2willbehigher.Ontheother
handiftheydonothaveverygoodgasexchangetheirFEO2willbehigherandtheir
FECO2willbelower.Thebetterthegasexchange,thelessthesubjectwillneedto
ventilateforagivenoxygenconsumption..
h. AftertheexpiredairhasbeenanalyzedforO2andCO2content,measureitsvolume.
Removetheconnectinghosefromthethreewayvalveandattachittotheinletonthe
volumemeter(orgasmeter).Besuretorecordtheinitialdialreadingfromthegasmeter
orifpossiblereturnthedialtozero.Turnthethreewayvalvesothecollectedairgoes
intothemeter.Squeezetheairoutofthemeteorologicalballoonthroughthegasmeter.
WhenALLoftheairhasbeenremovedfromtheballoon,returnthevalvetotheclosed
position.Recordthereadingfromthegasmeterasthemetervolume.Thethreeway
valvecannowbetakeoffofthedrygasmeter.
i. Afteryouhavecollectedyourrestingdataanddataforbothexercisebouts(described
below)openthethreewayvalvetoallowairinthebagtofreelyexchangewith
atmosphericair.Thiswillprovideanescaperouteformoisturewhichmayhavecollected
intheballoon.Thisstepcompletesthegascollectionandsamplingprocedures.Cleanthe
equipmentasdirectedbythelaboratoryinstructor.
j. Theremainingproceduresarecalculationsbasedonthedataalreadycollected.
1. Takeyourmetervolumemeasuredinthegasmeterandaddtoitthesamplevolume
usedinthedeterminationofO2andCO2concentrationstothebagvolumetoobtain
theATPSvolume(ATPSstandsforambienttemperatureandpressuresaturated,any
timeyoucollectavolumeinclassyouarecollectingitinATPSconditionsandyou
willneedtoconvertittoSTPDorBTPSconditions(seeappendixpages33to37)
2. Correctthisvolumetoaperminutevalueifnecessary.Therestinggassamplewillbe
collectedover5minutes(afteraddingsamplevolumedivideby5).Theexercisegas
sampleswillbetakenforonlythelastminuteofexercise(soyoudonotneedtodivide
by5).
3. CalculatetheBTPScorrectionFactor.The correction factor that is used to correct for
the difference in volume between ambient and lung (body) conditions is referred to as
the Body Temperature, Pressure, Saturated (or BTPS) correction factor. It not only
corrects for differences in temperature between body (lungs) and ambient conditions, it
also corrects for any differences in pressure and water vapor saturation between
ambient and body conditions. Any time you are reporting a volume of air, and you
want it to represent the amount of air moved by the lungs, it must be reported in BTPS
conditions. Common variables that are reported in BTPS conditions include VE, VC,
TV, MVV. When VE is reported in BTPS conditions we usually refer to it simply as
VEBTPS. The BTPS correction factor can be calculated as follows (A stands for
ambient, T stands for temperature, P stands for pressure, and PH2O stands for water
vapor pressure):

BTPScf= 310 PA - PH2O

273 + TA PA - 47

Lab I - 7
 4. CalculateVEbtps.Asyoulearnedinyourhumanphysiologycourses,VEisusually
reportedinBTPSconditions.ThusyouwillneedtocorrecttheATPSvolumetoa
BTPSvolumebyusingtheBTPScorrectionfactor(above,andseeappendix).Itis
reportedintheseconditionsbecausewhenweevaluateVEwearewantingthisvalue
toreflectthevolumemovedbythelungsperminute.
VEbtps=VEatpsxBTPSC.F.
5. CalculatetheSTPDcorrectionfactor.Whetherusingclosedoropenspirometry,all
volumesofoxygenconsumptionandcarbondioxideproductionmustbecorrectedto
StandardTemperature(0C)Pressure(760mmHg)Dry(nowatervapor)conditions
(STPD).AccordingtotheIdealGasLaw,undertheseconditionsoneliterofanyideal
gaswouldcontainthesamenumberofgasmolecules.Thus,underthesestandard
conditionsthevolumeofanygas(suchasoxygenorcarbondioxide)accurately
representsthenumberofgasmolecules.VO2andVCO2arealwaysreportedinSTPD
conditions.PleasenotethatVEisnotreportedinSTPDconditions.TheSTPD
correctionfactorcanbecalculatedusingthefollowingequation(TAstandsforthe
ambienttemperature,PAstandsfortheambientpressure,andPH2Ostandsforthewater
vaporpressure):

STPDcf=(273)x(PAmmHgPH2OmmHg)
(273+TAC)(760mmHg)

6. CalculateVEstpd.Thenextstepistocalculateoxygenconsumption.Wheneverwe
analyzeagassamplefortheamountofaparticulargaspresentthevolumemustbe
convertedtoSTPDconditions.Thus,inordertocalculateoxygenconsumptionand
carbondioxideproductionyoumustfirstcalculateVEstpdbymultiplyingVEatpstimes
theSTPDcorrectionfactor.

VEstpd=VEatpsxSTPDC.F.
7. CalculateTidalvolume.Asyoulearnedinyourhumanphysiologycourses,VEisthe
productoftidalvolume(TV)andrespiratoryrate(RR).TVisthevolumeofairmoved
perbreathandRRishowmanybreathsperminutethesubjectistaking.Atypical
restingTVis0.5L/breathandatypicalrestingRRis1220breaths/min.Maximal
values.
TVbtps=VEbtps/RR

8. CalculateAlveolarVentilation.Asyoulearnedinyourhumanphysiologycourses,not
alloftheairthatismovedinandoutofthelungseveryminute(VE)actuallygetsto
thealveoliwheregasexchangeoccurs.Thisisbecausethereissomeamountofdead
space(DS);areasinthelungsthatdonotparticipateingasexchange.Forexample,
duringventilationsomeoftheairwillremainintherespiratoryconductingtubes
(trachea,bronchi,andallofthegenerationsofbronchioles);thisairwillnotparticipate
ingasexchange.Thedeadspaceassociatedwithrespiratoryconductingtubesiscalled
theanatomicaldeadspace.A healthy young adult usually has a dead space of about
150 ml or 0.15L. Dead space tends to increase as we age.

Lab I - 8
 In some instances, some of the gas exchange areas (alveoli) are not functional or
are only partially functional because of absent or poor blood flow through the adjacent
pulmonary capillaries. From a functional standpoint, unused alveoli must be
considered dead space. Physiological dead space is the term used when the alveolar
dead space is included in the total measurement of dead space.
When calculating alveolar ventilation then, we must subtract the dead space from
each tidal breath and then multiply times respiratory rate. We will use a constant of
0.15L for dead space.

VAbtps=(TVbtpsDS)xRR

9. Calculatingoxygenconsumption(VO2).Simplystatedoxygenconsumptionequals
theamountofoxygeninspiredminusoxygenexpired.
VO2=O2inspiredO2expired
Theamountofoxygeninspiredcanbecalculatedbymultiplyingthe%ofinspiredair
thatisoxygen(FIO2,whichisaconstant,0.2093)timesthevolumeofairinspired
(VIstpd).Similarly,theamountofoxygenexpiredcanbecalculatedbymultiplyingthe
%ofexpiredairthatisoxygen(FEO2)timesthevolumeofairexpired(VEstpd).Thus
wecancalculateVO2asfollows:
VO2=(VIstpdxFIO2)(VEstpdxFEO2)

or

VO2=(VIstpdx.2093)(VEstpdxFEO2)
a.CalculatetheNitrogenFactor.AllvariablesexceptVIareknownormeasured.One
wouldexpectVItobenearlyequaltoVE,howeveritispossiblethatthetwocanbe
slightlydifferentduetodifferencesintherateofO2consumptionandCO2production.
Thus,weneedawaytocalculateVIthattakesthisintoaccount.Bycalculatingthe
fractionalconcentrationofnitrogen(aninertgas)ininspiredgasandexpiredgaswe
cancalculatewhatiscalledthenitrogenfactor(N.F.),whichwillallowusto
determineVIfromourVEvalue.Thenitrogenfactorcanbecalculatedasfollows:
FEN21(FEO2+FECO2)1(FEO2+FECO2)
N.F.= ==
FIN21(FIO2+FICO2)0.7904
b.CalculateVIstpd.TheN.F.factortakesintoaccountthedifferencebetweenVEandVI
suchthat:
VIstpd=VEstpdxN.F.

BecauseVEandVIareusuallynearlyequal,thenitrogenfactoristypicallyveryclose
to1.0.
c.Insertingtheseformulasandtheconstant0.2093forFIO2totheoxygenconsumption
equationswenowhavethefollowingformula.

Lab I - 9
 VO2=(VEstpdx.2093xN.F.)(VEstpdxFEO2)
or
VO2=VEstpd(NFx.2093FEO2)

Asyoucansee,ourabilitytotakeupandutilizeoxygen(VO2)ispartlydependent
uponourabilitytomoveairinandoutofthelungs(VE)andourabilitytoextract
oxygenfromthatair(0.2093FEO2).Remember,thenitrogenfactorshouldbevery
closeto1.0.

10. CalculateRelativeOxygenConsumption.These(above)formulasgivetheoxygen
consumptionvaluesinlitersperminute.WhenVO2isreportedinL/min,thevalueis
consideredanabsolutevalue(absoluteVO2).Alargerindividualwouldbeexpected
toconsumemorelitersofoxygeneveryminute,butshouldconsumeacertainamount
ofoxygenrelativetotheirbodysize.Oxygenconsumptionisalsofrequentlyreported
relativetobodymassinmillilitersperkilogramperminute,thisiscalledtherelative
oxygenconsumption(relativeVO2).Atrest,relativeVO2isusuallyaround3.5
ml/kg.min.
VO2(L/min)x1000ml/L
RelativeVO2=
Kg(bodymass)
11. Carbondioxideproduction(VCO2stpd).Tocalculatecarbondioxideproductionyou
willuseaformulasimilartothatoftheoxygenconsumptionformula,exceptthatin
thiscaseyouwillbecalculatingCO2expiredminusCO2inspired.Remember,FICO2
istypicallyconstantaround0.0003(theairwebreatheinis0.03%CO2).
VCO2stpd=(FECO2xVEstpd)(VEstpdxNFxFICO2)
12. Therespiratoryquotient(RQ)(whichshouldbecalledtherespiratoryexchangeratio,
RERwhendeterminedfromrespiratorymeasurementsatthelevelofthemouth/nose)
isanothervaluablemeasurementthatcanbedeterminedfromourgassampledata.It
isaratioofCO2producedtoO2consumedandthereforereflectsthetypeoffuel
substratesbeingusedinsidethecells.Itiscalculatedasfollows:
VCO2 FECO2
RER= oritcanbeestimatedby=
VO2 (0.2093FEO2)

Appendixpage54showshowRQrelatestotheuseofdifferentfuelsourcesandhow
theRQcanbeusedtogivecaloricequivalentsforoxygenconsumption.Forexample
anRQof0.7indicatesthatthesubjectisusingfatsastheirprimaryfuelsourceandan
RQof1.0indicatesthesubjectisusingcarbohydratesastheirprimaryfuelsource.An
averagerestingRQformostsubjectsonanormaldietisabout.82.TypicallytheRER
thatiscalculatedfromwholebodyVO2andVCO2iscalledanonproteinRER.To
determinetheamountofproteinmetabolismurinarynitrogenexcretionmustalsobe
measured.
Lab I - 10
 RQistheratioofCO2producedtoO2consumedatthecellularlevel,anditcan
neverexceedavalueof1.TheRERistheratioofCO2producedtoO2consumedat
thewholebodylevel,andthusisanestimateofRQ.Undermostnormalconditions
RERandRQarealmostexactlyequal.However,becausetheRERismeasuredonthe
organismlevelitrepresentsbothmetabolismandCO2producedasaresultof
bufferingtheblood.Anydisturbanceintheorganismsacidbasebalancesuchduring
hyperventilation,metabolicacidosis,respiratoryalkilosisandduringintenseexercise
cancauseRERtoexceed1.0.Duringthesesituations(orothersituationsthatthrow
offacidbasebalance)RERandRQarenotequal.

13. Severalothercalculationswillbeusedtodayandthroughouttherestofthequarter.
a.Ventilationequivalentratioforoxygen(VE/VO2)
VEstpd
VERO2=
VO2stpd(L/min)
b.Ventilationequivalentratioforcarbondioxide(VE/VCO2)
VEstpd
VERCO2=
VCO2stpd
Theventilatoryequivalentratioscanbeusedtohelpdeterminetheventilatory
thresholdandcanalsobeusedtoindicaterespiratoryefficiency.Forexample,ifa
subjecthasgoodgasexchange,theywillextractoxygenwellandwillnotneedto
ventilateasmuchforagivenoxygenconsumption.Thus,theywouldhavealower
ventilatoryequivalentratioforoxygenthanapersonwithpoorrespiratoryefficiency
(poorgasexchange).Whenasubjectfirstgetshookeduptothemouthpiecethey
usuallyhyperventilateforawhile(VEishigherthanitneedstobeforthatlevelof
oxygenconsumption).Asaresult,whentheyarefirsthookedup,VE/VO2is
frequentlysomewhathighandafteralittlebititstartstodecrease.Whenthesubject
startstoexercisetheybegintoextractoxygenbetter(FEO2decreases)andsotheydo
notneedtoventilateasmuchforagivenoxygen.Thisalsotendstodecreasethe
VE/VO2.Eventually,duringhighintensityexercise,whenthebloodneedstobe
bufferedbyrespiratorybufferingmechanisms,VEstartstogoupatahigherrate(this
isattheventilatorythreshold),andthusVE/VO2alsobeginstoincrease.However,
becauseVCO2alsostartstogoupatthistime,theVE/VCO2remainsthesame.
c.Fickequationforoxygenconsumption
VO2=QxavO2difference
WhereQisthecardiacoutputandavO2differenceisthearterialmixedvenous
oxygendifference.Rememberfromhumanphysiology,cardiacoutputequalsheart
ratetimesstrokevolume(Q=HRxSV).avO2differenceisthedifferenceinthe
oxygencontentbetweenthearterialandthevenousbloodandrepresentstheamountof
oxygentakenupfromtheblood(andutilized)bythetissues.Atrestthemusclesare
notextractingtoomuchoxygenfromthebloodsoavO2differenceislow.But,during
Lab I - 11
 exercisethemusclestakeupmoreoxygenandarereceivingagreaterportionofthe
body'sbloodflow,resultinginagreateravO2difference.Seethecardiopulmonary
functionlaband/oryourtextbookforamorecompleteexplanationofavO2difference.
d.Oxygenpulse

AbsoluteVO2(L/min)x1000ml/L
O2pulse=
Heartrate(beats/minute)
TheO2pulseissometimesusedtoassesstrendsinstrokevolumeandisthoughtto
represent,toanextent,cardiovascularefficiency.Forexample,ifapersonhasalarge
hearttheywilltendtohavealargestrokevolumeandtheirheartwillnotneedtobeat
asfastforagivenoxygenconsumption.Thus,theywouldtendtohaveahigher
O2pulse.AccordingtotheFickequationfromabove,whatotherphysiological
variablewouldbeexpectedtoinfluencetheO2pulse(besidesVO2,HR,andSV)?

k. Aftercollectingarestingbagandperformingtheabovecalculations,collectandanalyze
bagstakenduringtwosubmaximalboutsofexerciseusingthesamesubject.Thenrepeat
thesecalculationswiththeexercisedata.Theexerciseboutswillbe5minutesteadystate
exerciseboutsperformedononeergometer(ofyourchoice)attwodifferentintensities
(thefirstintensityshouldbealowmoderateintensityandthesecondshouldbea
moderatehighintensity).Duringeachexerciseboutaoneminutesampleofexpiredair
willbecollectedduringthefinalminuteofexercise.Recommendedintensities:

Ergometer BoutI(lowmed) BoutII(modhigh)

Cycle 5075RPM,12kg 5075RPM,23kg

Treadmill fastwalk moderatejog/runpace

(34mph,low%grade) (pacefor~30minworkout)

RowingErgometer 50100Watts 100180Watts

ArmCrank 50RPM,0.51kg 5060RPM,12kg

SomeexpectedNormalValues
Correctionfactors:
Nitrogenfactor usuallyverycloseto1.0
STPDc.f. usually.85to.95
BTPSc.f. usually1.081.12

Rest MaximalExercise
VE 415L/min 130250L/min
AbsoluteVO2(men) 0.20.5L/min 2.07.0L/min
(women) 0.150.4L/min 1.55.0L/min

Lab I - 12
 RelativeVO2(men) 3.5ml/kg.min 3590ml/kg.min
(women) 3.5ml/kg.min 2575ml/kg.min
VO2maxforaveragecollegeage: Male: 45ml/kg.min
Female: 35ml/kg.min
RER 0.7to1.0 1.0to1.5
FEO2 0.15to0.18 sameasrestrange
FECO2 0.025to0.06 sameasrestrange

Lab I - 13
 DataSheets

I.MetabolicCartDemoandCalculationofO2deficitandEPOC.

A.Drawaschematicdiagramofthesubject,respiratorymouthpiece,tubingandthe
componentsofthemetaboliccartincludingmixingchamber,gasanalyzers,airflow
meter,tubes,andconnectionstothecomputer.Identifywhatpartsofthe
VO2formulasaredeterminedbyeachpartofthemetaboliccart.

B.EPOCandO2deficitdataandcalculation
Rest
Time 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 910
VO2
VE
HR
AveragerestingVO2:____________
Exercise ErgometerPowerWatts
Time 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
VO2
VE
HR
AveragesteadystateVO2:_________
Recovery
Time 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
VO2
VE
HR

Lab I - 14
Calculationofoxygendeficit:
1.Calculatetheaveragesteadystateoxygenconsumption:_____________
2.Calculatethedeficitforeachminuteofexercisebeforesteadystatewasattainedand
sumthesedeficitvalues.________________
CalculationofEPOC:
1.Calculatetheaveragerestingoxygenconsumption:_______________
2.Calculatetheexcessoxygenconsumptionforeachminuteofrecoverandsumthese
values.______________________

HowdoyourO2deficitandEPOCcompare?Ifnotthesame,whichislarger?

Howdoesthebodymaintaincellularenergyhomeostasisbeforeaerobicmetabolicsystems
areuptospeed?

WhatareafewreasonswhywenolongercallEPOCO2debt?

WhatdoyousupposewouldhappentothesizeoftheO2deficitifthesubjectperformeda
higherintensityboutofexercise?HowaboutEPOC?

WhatdoyousupposewouldhappentothesizeoftheO2deficitifthesubjectwasmore
fit/bettertrained?HowaboutEPOC?

Lab I - 15
II. Rest and exercise VO2 Calculations
rest exercise 1 exercise 2
a. Subject Wt.
b. Intensity/ergometer settings
c. Ambient Pressure
d. Ambient Temperature
e. Water Vapor Pressure (pH2O)
f. Heart Rate
g. FEO2
h. FECO2
i. Sample Volume
j. Meter Volume
k. ATPS Volume
(= i + j)
l. VEATPS in L/min
(= k / 5 for rest, for exercise = i + j)
m. BTPS corr. factor
n. VE BTPS in L/min
(= l x m)
o. STPD corr. factor
p. VE STPD
(= l x o)
q. NF
r. VO2 STPD L/min
s. VO2 STPD ml/Kg/min
t. RER
u. VCO2 STPD in L/min
v. VE/VO2
w. VE/VCO2
x. O2pulse (mlO2/beat)
y. RR (breaths/min)
z. TV BTPS (L/breath)
aa. VA BTPS (L/min
Lab I - 16
Regardingyourrestingandexercisecalculations:
1) WereyoursubjectsrestandexerciseabsoluteandrelativeVO2valuesapproximatelythe
rightvaluesorintherightrange?HowabouttheirVE,RER,FEO2,andFECO2values?

2) WhatwereyoursubjectsRERvalues?Didtheysuggestmorefatorcarbohydrateuse?
WhathappenedtoRERwithincreasingexerciseintensity?Whatdothesechangessuggest?

3) WhathappenedtoFEO2andFECO2asyoursubjectwentfromresttoexerciseandthen
increasedtheintensity?Whatdothesechangessuggest?

4) Whathappenedtotidalvolumeandrespiratoryrateasthesubjectwentfromresttolow
intensityexercise?Howaboutfromlowintensityexercisetomoderateintensityexercise?

5) IfyourrespiratorycontrolcentersneededtoincreaseVE,woulditbebettertoincreaseTVor
RRtoaccomplishtheincreaseinVE?(hint:thinkaboutVA)

6) WhathappenedtoVE/VO2andVE/VCO2asyoursubjectwentfromresttoexerciseandthen
increasedtheintensity?Whatdothesechangessuggest?Howarethesechangesrelatedto
changesintoFEO2andFECO2?

7) WhataresimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweenRERandRQ?

8) WhathappenedtoO2pulseasyoursubjectwentfromresttoexerciseandasexercise
intensityincreased?Whatdothesechangessuggest?

Lab I - 17
Lab I - 18
 LabIstudyquestions
1)WhydoweusetheSTPDcorrectionfactor?WhatvariablesarereportedinSTPD
conditions?

2)Whydoweusethenitrogenfactor?

3)WhatistheadvantageofreportingO2consumptioninml/kg.minratherthanL/min?

6) WhathappenstoFEO2andFECO2atthebeginning,duringthemiddle,andattheendofa
progressiveintensityexercisetest?Explainwhy?

7) Whatpiecesofequipmentareneededtomakeupametaboliccart?Whataretherolesof
eachoftheseparts?

8) HowareVE,FEO2,NF,FIO2,cardiacoutput,avO2difference,andVO2allrelated?Write
outtheirrelationshipstoeachotherusingformulas(equations).

9) WhatisOxygenDeficitandwhydoesitoccur?

10) WhatisEPOCandwhydoesitoccur?

11) Whataresomeoftheprocessesoccurringearlyduringrecoveryfromexercise?Howabout
laterintherecovery?(seedescriptionoffastandslowcomponentsofO2debt)

Lab I - 19
12) Whatistheformulaforthephosphocreatinesystem?HowdoesthisrelatetoO2deficitand
EPOC?

13) Giventhefollowingdata,calculateO2deficitandEPOC.

ExerciseErgometerCyclePoweroutput200WattsRestingVO20.25L/min
Time 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 910
VO21.251.792.362.582.602.532.572.592.612.57
VE25425763687174716972
HR116134146153155154156154157155

Recovery
Time 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 910
VO22.011.651.250.710.580.360.290.240.250.25
VE6352413524181512109
HR15114313212211410996918481

O2deficit:

EPOC:

Lab I - 20
14) Calculatea)absoluteVO2,b)relativeVO2,c)VCO2,d)VE(inthepropergasconditions),
e)theventilatoryequivalentratiosforO2andCO2,f)RER,g)O2pulse,h)TidalVolume,
andi)Alveolarventilation.Also,j)iftheirstrokevolumewas0.100L/beat,whatwould
theiravO2differencebe?

Subject weight = 135 lb female VE-ATPS = 65.5 L/min

Subject = 22 yrs old FEO2 = 16.8 %
Ambient pressure = 751 mmHg FECO2 = 3.72 %
Ambient Temperature = 21C HR = 155 b/min
RR = 22 breaths/min

Lab I - 21