Validation and evaluation of a lightweight portable device for measuring VO sub(2)

• Published in: American Industrial Hygiene Association journal Vol. 56; no. 1; pp. 50 - 54
• Main Authors: Bishop, P A, Lee, SMC, McBrine, J J, Siconolfi, S F, Greenisen, M C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.1995
• ISSN: 0002-8894

The accuracy and utility of a portable, lightweight (1.3 kg total) battery-powered telemetry system (PMS) for measuring the oxygen uptake (VO sub(2)) of humans was evaluated. Ventilation measurements agreed closely with a mechanical calibrator and a reference system (REF) (R super(2) = 0.99-1.0). Measures of VO sub(2) (78 total observations, 13 subjects) were compared in humans between the PMS and a mass-spectrometer based REF over a broad range of VO sub(2)s and for 30 min at a constant work rate. Agreement between systems was maximized by: VO sub(2REF) (L/min) = 0.94VO sub(2)PMS sub(raw) -0.06 R super(2) = 0.97; S sub(yx) = 0.148. Cross-validation on 26 data points yielded an R super(2) of 0.97 and a S sub(yx) of 0.11 L/min. Drift in VO sub(2) measures was acceptable in relation to time and across the range of VO sub(2)s. With the above equation, the PMS VO sub(2)s were sufficiently accurate for many research and monitoring applications. The PMS was also highly portable, mechanically reliable, comfortable for the subjects even for prolonged use, and potentially useful in many industrial situations.