Incremental Exercise Test Performance with and Without a Respiratory Gas Collection System (Original RESEARCH Article) (Report‪)‬

Introduction Exercise testing with respiratory gas collection (RGC) and analysis during indirect calorimetry has long been a routine procedure in exercise physiology laboratories, enabling the simultaneous measurement of respiratory, cardiovascular and metabolic variables. (24) In a clinical setting, risk assessment or diagnosis in patients with known or suspected cardiopulmonary disease is aided by data obtained from respiratory gas analysis during exercise. (29) In sport science laboratories, performance assessment of athletes like runners, cyclists and rowers is frequently performed using respiratory gas analysis to monitor training status, evaluate programme efficacy or formulate individual training recommendations. (24) However, practical application of measures such as maximal oxygen uptake (V[O.sub.2max]) and mechanical efficiency rely not only on accurate gas analysis during exercise, but also on the premise that RGC does not influence exercise test performance.