A versatile system for measuring oxygen consumption in man.

Abstract

A system is described for measuring the oxygen consumption of men at rest, during moderate work, or during heavy work. Expired air, measured and sampled from a suitable respirometer, is collected in metalized polyethylene bags. Carbon dioxide does not diffuse measurably from these in several hours. For analysis, gas is drawn successively through a drying column, a paramagnetic oxygen meter, and a thermal conductivity CO2 meter. Alveolar air may be analyzed directly. Calculation sheets suitable for computer programs are given for respiratory exchange and the metabolic mixture.