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Biomedical subjects

R Bonnefoy

Publications and source records attributed to R Bonnefoy.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

A system to simulate gas exchange in humans to control quality of metabolic measurements.

We have developed a gas exchange simulation system (GESS) to assess the quality control in measurements of metabolic gas exchange. The GESS simulates human breathing from rest to maximal exercise. It approximates breath-by-breath waveforms, ventilatory output, gas concentrations, temperature and humidity during inspiration and expiration. A programmable motion control driving two syringes allows the ventilation to be set at any tidal volume (VT), respiratory frequency (f), flow waveform and period of inspiration and expiration. The GESS was tested at various combinations of VT (0.5-2.51) and f(10-60 stroke x min(-1)) and at various fractional concentrations of expired oxygen (0.1294-0.1795); and carbon dioxide (0.0210-0.0690) for a pre-set flow waveform and for expired gases at the same temperature and humidity as room air. Expired gases were collected in a polyethylene bag for measurement of volume and gas concentrations. Accuracy was assessed by calculating the absolute and relative errors on parameters (error=measured-predicted). The overall error in the gas exchange values averaged less than 2% for oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide output, which is within the accuracy of the Douglas bag method.

Carbon Dioxide↗

Validity of oxygen uptake measurements during exercise under moderate hyperoxia.

PURPOSE: The validity of oxygen uptake in hyperoxia (FIO2 = 30%) measured by an automated system (MedGraphics, CPX/D system) was assessed during the simulation of gas exchanges during exercise with a mechanical system and during submaximal exercise by human subjects. METHODS: The simulation system reproduced a stable and accurate VO2 for 30 min (sim-test). This trial was repeated nine times in normoxia and nine times in hyperoxia. Ten subjects also performed two submaximal exercises (55% of normoxic VO2max) on a cycle ergometer at the same absolute power in normoxia and in hyperoxia (ex-test). RESULTS: There was a significant downward drift of the oxygen fraction measurement in hyperoxia (< or = 0.10% for FIO2 and FEO2) during sim-test, but VO2 measurement remained stable in the two conditions. There was also a downward drift of the oxygen fraction measurement in the two conditions (< or = 0.07% for FIO2) during ex-test. VO2 was significantly higher in hyperoxia (+4.6%), and this result was confirmed using a modified Douglas bag method. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that the CPX/D system is stable and valid for assessing VO2 in moderate hyperoxia.

Adult↗

Modeling of adaptations to physical training by using a recursive least squares algorithm.

The present study assesses the usefulness of a systems model with time-varying parameters for describing the responses of physical performance to training. Data for two subjects who undertook a 14-wk training on a cycle ergometer were used to test the proposed model, and the results were compared with a model with time-invariant parameters. Two 4-wk periods of intensive training were separated by a 2-wk period of reduced training and followed by a 4-wk period of reduced training. The systems input ascribed to the training doses was made up of interval exercises and computed in arbitrary units. The systems output was evaluated one to five times per week by using the endurance time at a constant workload. The time-invariant parameters were fitted from actual performances by using the least squares method. The time-varying parameters were fitted by using a recursive least squares algorithm. The coefficients of determination r2 were 0.875 and 0.879 for the two subjects using the time-varying model, higher than the values of 0.682 and 0.666, respectively, obtained with the time-invariant model. The variations over time in the model parameters resulting from the expected reduction in the residuals appeared generally to account for changes in responses to training. Such a model would be useful for investigating the underlying mechanisms of adaptation and fatigue.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Optic fibre as a transducer of tendomuscular forces.

Direct in vivo tendon force measurements open up new possibilities for understanding of muscle-tendon loads during natural locomotion. The present report presents a new optic fibre method for such applications. The method is based on light intensity modulation by mechanical modification of the geometric properties of the optic fibre. A special optic fibre with a plastic covering buffer and with a total diameter of either 265 microns or 500 microns was carefully prepared at both ends for receiving and transmitting light. The fibre was inserted through the rabbit common calcaneal tendon with a 20 gauge needle. By removing the needle the optic fibre remained in situ. Static loading demonstrated that the voltage output of the optic fibre transducer showed a good linear fit of r = .999 with added loads. In dynamic loading conditions the optic fibre followed well the response of a strain gauge transducer, which was also attached to the tendon. The optic fibre method seems suitable for many applications for tensile and possibly ligament force measurements.

Animals↗

Increase in occlusion pressure with ventilation and response to maximal exercise.

Fifteen sedentary or mildly active men (low fit group) and 15 trained male athletes (high fit group) performed an incremental exercise bout on a cycle ergometer until exhaustion. At each submaximal load, minute ventilation (VE) and rate of change of mouth pressure (dP/dt) during a brief airway occlusion were computed. The airway was occluded for 40-200 ms and adjusted according to the level of ventilation. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and minute ventilation (VEpeak) were measured during the last increment. dP/dt was related to VE in all subjects as dP/dt = a VECURV. The CURV parameter was 0.99-1.95 with a median of 1.49. The subjects were divided into four groups of seven or eight according to their physical fitness and their CURV value. Low and high CURV subjects had a CURV below and above the median, respectively. VE/VO2peak and VE/VCO2peak were significantly higher in the low CURV than in the high CURV group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Although factors other than the increase in pulmonary impedance with ventilation may influence CURV, the present results indicate the possible influence of mechanical constraint of breathing on the ventilatory output.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of incremental and steady state tests of endurance training.

To compare the results obtained by incremental or constant work load exercises in the evaluation of endurance conditioning, a 20-week training programme was performed by 9 healthy human subjects on the bicycle ergometer for 1 h a day, 4 days a week, at 70-80% VO2max. Before and at the end of the training programme, (1) the blood lactate response to a progressive incremental exercise (18 W increments every 2nd min until exhaustion) was used to determine the aerobic and anaerobic thresholds (AeT and AnT respectively). On a different day, (2) blood lactate concentrations were measured during two sessions of constant work load exercises of 20 min duration corresponding to the relative intensities of AeT (1st session) and AnT (2nd session) levels obtained before training. A muscle biopsy was obtained from vastus lateralis at the end of these sessions to determine muscle lactate. AeT and AnT, when expressed as % VO2max, increased with training by 17% (p less than 0.01) and 9% (p less than 0.05) respectively. Constant workload exercise performed at AeT intensity was linked before training (60% VO2max) to a blood lactate steady state (4.8 +/- 1.4 mmol.l-1) whereas, after training, AeT intensity (73% VO2max) led to a blood lactate accumulation of up to 6.6 +/- 1.7 mmol.l-1 without significant modification of muscle lactate (7.6 +/- 3.1 and 8.2 +/- 2.8 mmol.kg-1 wet weight respectively). It is concluded that increase in AeT with training may reflect transient changes linked to lower early blood lactate accumulation during incremental exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗