Open-circuit gas exchange analysis in the non-steady-state.

The serial measurement of oxygen uptake (VO2) of four subjects was calculated during the transition from rest to constant-load cycle ergometer work using an open-circuit gas exchange analysis system. In calculating VO2, the mixed expired gas concentrations were matched with the ventilatory volume by various delay factors. A delay factor equivalent to the passing of 20 L of expired ventilation through the mixing chamber yielded results which were most similar to the VO2 obtained by a computerized breath-by-breath analysis. Previous checks of the response of the system to changes in calibrating gas mixtures had indicated that it was necessary to pass approximately 20-25 L of gas through the system before a plateau response was observed. This volume remained relatively constant, independent of flow rate. It is proposed that an understanding of the response characteristics of an open circuit system will enable the accurate calculation of VO2 over short time intervals in the non-steady-state.