Using Respiratory Gas Analyzers to Determine Resting Metabolic Rate in Adults: A Systematic Review of Validity Studies

Background: Correct assessment of resting metabolic rate (RMR) is fundamental for estimating total energy expenditure in both clinical nutrition and sports sciences research. Various methods have been proposed for RMR determination, including predictive equations, isotopic dilution techniques, and i...

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Main Authors: César Ulises Olivas-León, Francisco Javier Olivas-Aguirre, Isaac Armando Chávez-Guevara, Horacio Eusebio Almanza-Reyes, Leslie Patrón-Romero, Genaro Rodríguez-Uribe, Francisco José Amaro-Gahete, Marco Antonio Hernández-Lepe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Sports
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/13/7/198
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author César Ulises Olivas-León
Francisco Javier Olivas-Aguirre
Isaac Armando Chávez-Guevara
Horacio Eusebio Almanza-Reyes
Leslie Patrón-Romero
Genaro Rodríguez-Uribe
Francisco José Amaro-Gahete
Marco Antonio Hernández-Lepe
author_facet César Ulises Olivas-León
Francisco Javier Olivas-Aguirre
Isaac Armando Chávez-Guevara
Horacio Eusebio Almanza-Reyes
Leslie Patrón-Romero
Genaro Rodríguez-Uribe
Francisco José Amaro-Gahete
Marco Antonio Hernández-Lepe
author_sort César Ulises Olivas-León
collection DOAJ
description Background: Correct assessment of resting metabolic rate (RMR) is fundamental for estimating total energy expenditure in both clinical nutrition and sports sciences research. Various methods have been proposed for RMR determination, including predictive equations, isotopic dilution techniques, and indirect calorimetry. Over the past two decades, portable gas analyzers have emerged as promising alternatives, offering more accessible and cost-effective solutions for metabolic assessment. However, evidence regarding their validity remains inconsistent, particularly across diverse populations and varying metabolic assessment protocols. Methods: This systematic review was conducted in May 2025 using the PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO databases, following the PRISMA-DTA guidelines, and included observational studies with the objective of examining the available evidence regarding the validity of portable gas analyzers to determine RMR in humans. The methodological quality of each study was assessed using the NIH Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. Results: From an initial pool of 230 studies, 16 met the eligibility criteria. The findings revealed notable variability in measurement validity among devices, mainly influenced by device model, population characteristics, and methodological factors. While portable analyzers such as FitMate and Q-NRG exhibited high validity, MedGem exhibited systematic biases, particularly in individuals with higher adiposity, leading to RMR overestimations. Conclusions: The main results demonstrated the critical need for rigorous validation of portable gas analyzers before their implementation in clinical and research settings to ensure their applicability across diverse populations and metabolic assessments.
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spelling doaj-art-1afc7a795d6546c4b90a531b86bc41642025-08-20T03:07:58ZengMDPI AGSports2075-46632025-06-0113719810.3390/sports13070198Using Respiratory Gas Analyzers to Determine Resting Metabolic Rate in Adults: A Systematic Review of Validity StudiesCésar Ulises Olivas-León0Francisco Javier Olivas-Aguirre1Isaac Armando Chávez-Guevara2Horacio Eusebio Almanza-Reyes3Leslie Patrón-Romero4Genaro Rodríguez-Uribe5Francisco José Amaro-Gahete6Marco Antonio Hernández-Lepe7Conahcyt National Laboratory of Body Composition and Energetic Metabolism (LaNCoCoME), Tijuana 22390, MexicoConahcyt National Laboratory of Body Composition and Energetic Metabolism (LaNCoCoME), Tijuana 22390, MexicoConahcyt National Laboratory of Body Composition and Energetic Metabolism (LaNCoCoME), Tijuana 22390, MexicoConahcyt National Laboratory of Body Composition and Energetic Metabolism (LaNCoCoME), Tijuana 22390, MexicoConahcyt National Laboratory of Body Composition and Energetic Metabolism (LaNCoCoME), Tijuana 22390, MexicoConahcyt National Laboratory of Body Composition and Energetic Metabolism (LaNCoCoME), Tijuana 22390, MexicoDepartment of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), University of Granada, 18001 Granada, SpainConahcyt National Laboratory of Body Composition and Energetic Metabolism (LaNCoCoME), Tijuana 22390, MexicoBackground: Correct assessment of resting metabolic rate (RMR) is fundamental for estimating total energy expenditure in both clinical nutrition and sports sciences research. Various methods have been proposed for RMR determination, including predictive equations, isotopic dilution techniques, and indirect calorimetry. Over the past two decades, portable gas analyzers have emerged as promising alternatives, offering more accessible and cost-effective solutions for metabolic assessment. However, evidence regarding their validity remains inconsistent, particularly across diverse populations and varying metabolic assessment protocols. Methods: This systematic review was conducted in May 2025 using the PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO databases, following the PRISMA-DTA guidelines, and included observational studies with the objective of examining the available evidence regarding the validity of portable gas analyzers to determine RMR in humans. The methodological quality of each study was assessed using the NIH Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. Results: From an initial pool of 230 studies, 16 met the eligibility criteria. The findings revealed notable variability in measurement validity among devices, mainly influenced by device model, population characteristics, and methodological factors. While portable analyzers such as FitMate and Q-NRG exhibited high validity, MedGem exhibited systematic biases, particularly in individuals with higher adiposity, leading to RMR overestimations. Conclusions: The main results demonstrated the critical need for rigorous validation of portable gas analyzers before their implementation in clinical and research settings to ensure their applicability across diverse populations and metabolic assessments.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/13/7/198energetic expenditureindirect calorimetryvalidation studyreproducibility of results
spellingShingle César Ulises Olivas-León
Francisco Javier Olivas-Aguirre
Isaac Armando Chávez-Guevara
Horacio Eusebio Almanza-Reyes
Leslie Patrón-Romero
Genaro Rodríguez-Uribe
Francisco José Amaro-Gahete
Marco Antonio Hernández-Lepe
Using Respiratory Gas Analyzers to Determine Resting Metabolic Rate in Adults: A Systematic Review of Validity Studies
Sports
energetic expenditure
indirect calorimetry
validation study
reproducibility of results
title Using Respiratory Gas Analyzers to Determine Resting Metabolic Rate in Adults: A Systematic Review of Validity Studies
title_full Using Respiratory Gas Analyzers to Determine Resting Metabolic Rate in Adults: A Systematic Review of Validity Studies
title_fullStr Using Respiratory Gas Analyzers to Determine Resting Metabolic Rate in Adults: A Systematic Review of Validity Studies
title_full_unstemmed Using Respiratory Gas Analyzers to Determine Resting Metabolic Rate in Adults: A Systematic Review of Validity Studies
title_short Using Respiratory Gas Analyzers to Determine Resting Metabolic Rate in Adults: A Systematic Review of Validity Studies
title_sort using respiratory gas analyzers to determine resting metabolic rate in adults a systematic review of validity studies
topic energetic expenditure
indirect calorimetry
validation study
reproducibility of results
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/13/7/198
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