A novel energy expenditure prediction equation for intermittent physical activity.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to characterize the relative contributions of the current heart rate (HR) and HR in the previous minute to predict energy expenditure (EE) and to model these and other determinants to predict EE during intermittent activity.


METHODS
Regularly exercising subjects (N=65, 36+/-9 yr, body mass index (BMI), 23.9+/- 2.5 kg.m) were tested. Body composition and maximal oxygen uptake (& OV0312;O2) were measured. On a separate day, subjects completed 12 x 4-min workloads, separated by 4 x 1-min rest periods, during which HR and & OV0312;O2 were continuously monitored. Using the intermittent activity calibration data, an EE model was developed. For validation, the final model was used to predict EE in a separate sample (N=17), who completed a gym training exercise session. Using the HR data, EE data were estimated using (a) the new model and were compared with (b) a previous model developed using a continuous incremental calibration test.


RESULTS
The following variables contributed significantly to the estimation of EE during intermittent activity: age, gender, & OV0312;O2 max, current minute's HR, previous minute's HR, and an interaction variable consisting of previous minute's HR and & OV0312;O2 max. The final model yielded an R of 82% for the comparison of predicted and measured EE. When this model was applied to an independent sample for validation (N=17), improvements in EE prediction, when compared to the existing model (b), were most apparent during free-living non-continuous exercise.


CONCLUSIONS
It is possible to improve the accuracy of predicting EE from HR, by incorporating both & OV0312;O2 max and the previous minute's HR in the prediction model.
Dugas
Lara R
LR
Exercise Science and Sports Medicine Unit, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Sports Science Institute of South Africa, Newlands, SOUTH AFRICA. Ldugas@sports.uct.ac.za
van der Merwe
Lize
L
Odendaal
Hendrick
H
Noakes
Timothy D
TD
Lambert
Estelle V
EV
D000328:Adult; D002138:Calibration; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors