Critical appraisal of the estimation of body composition via two-, three-, and four-compartment models

This review explores the robustness of the assumptions underpinning the two- (fat mass [FM], fat-free mass [FFM]), three- (FM; total body water [TBW], fat free dry solid), and four- (FM; TBW; bone mineral [BM], residual) compartment models of body composition. The measurement of body density (BD) via underwater weighing (UWW) and TBW via isotopic dilution are the two most frequently used two-compartment techniques. The former assumes that the FM and FFM have densities of 0.9007 g/cm(3) and 1.1000 g/cm(3), respectively, while the latter uses a FFM hydration constant. Although both techniques can estimate body composition precisely (technical error of measurement [TEM]: UWW = 0.4 %BF; TBW = 0.6 %BF), the validity of these estimates is adversely affected by biological variability in the assumed percentages for the FFM components (TBW = 73.72%; protein = 19.41%; BM = 5.63%; non-BM = 1.24%). The three-compartment model, which incorporates measures of BD and TBW, greatly increases validity by removing errors relating to variability in TBW, which comprises the largest percentage of the FFM and is furthermore acutely variable. The four-compartment model marginally improves on the three-compartment model by additionally controlling for BM, which displays less variability than the TBW component of the FFM. The three- and four-compartment models therefore provide more valid estimates of body composition than the two-compartment model, and this increased accuracy is not offset by propagation of errors (TEM = 0.7 %BF for both models) from the combinations of multiple measurements (BD, TBW, BM). Am. J. Hum. Biol. 11:175-185, 1999. Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Automated VO2max calibrator for open-circuit indirect calorimetry systems

The complete calibration of indirect calorimetry systems involves simultaneous checks of gas analyzers, volume device, and software, and this requires a machine that can mimic accurately and precisely the ventilation and expired gases of an athlete. While previous calibrators have been built successfully, none have matched the ventilatory flows produced by athletes during high intensity exercise. A calibrator able to simulate high aerobic power (VO2max calibrator) was fabricated and tested against conventional indirect calorimetry systems that use chain-compensated gasometers to measure expired volume (VE systems) and calibrated electronic gas analyzers. The calibrator was also checked against a system that measures inspired volume (VI system) with a turbine ventilometer. The pooled data from both VE and VI systems for predicted VO2 ranging from 2.9 to 7.9 L.min-1 and ventilation ranging from 89 to 246 L.min-1 how that the absolute accuracy (bias) of values measured by conventional indirect calorimetry systems compared with those predicted by the calibrator was excellent. The bias was < 35 mL.min-1 for VO2 and carbon dioxide production, < 0.50 L.min-1 for ventilator (VE BTPS), -0.02% absolute for the percentage of expired O2 and +0.02% absolute for the percentage of expired CO2. Overall, the precision of the measured VO2, VCO2, and VE BTPS was approximately 1%. This VO2max calibrator is a versatile device that can be used for routine calibration of most indirect calorimetry systems that assess the ventilation and aerobic power of athletes.

Comparison of energy expenditure elevations after submaximal and supramaximal running

Although exercise intensity has been identified as a major determinant of the excess postexercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), no studies have compared the EPOC after submaximal continuous running and supramaximal interval running. Eight male middle-distance runners [age = 2.1 +/- 3.1 (SD) yr; mass = 67.8 +/- 5.1 kg; maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) = 69.2 +/- 4.0 ml.kg-1.min-1] therefore completed two equated treatments of treadmill running (continuous running: 30 min at 70% VO2max; interval running: 20 x 1-min intervals at 105% VO2max with intervening 2-min rest periods) and a control session (no exercise) in a counter-balanced research design. The 9-h EPOC values were 6.9 +/- 3.8 and 15.0 +/- 3.3 liters (t-test:P = 0.001) for the submaximal and supramaximal treatments, respectively. These values represent 7.1 and 13.8% of the net total oxygen cost of both treatments. Notwithstanding the higher EPOC for supramaximal interval running compared with submaximal continuous running, the major contribution of both to weight loss is therefore via the energy expended during the actual exercise.