Real-time metabolic monitoring under exhaustive exercise and evaluation of ventilatory threshold by breathomics: Independent validation of evidence and advances.

Breath analysis was coupled with ergo-spirometry for non-invasive profiling of physio-metabolic status under exhaustive exercise. Real-time mass-spectrometry based continuous analysis of exhaled metabolites along with breath-resolved spirometry and heart rate monitoring were executed while 14 healthy adults performed ergometric ramp exercise protocol until exhaustion. Arterial blood lactate level was analyzed at defined time points. Respiratory-cardiac parameters and exhalation of several blood-borne volatiles changed continuously with the course of exercise and increasing workloads. Exhaled volatiles mirrored ventilatory and/or hemodynamic effects and depended on the origin and/or physicochemical properties of the substances. At the maximum workload, endogenous isoprene, methanethiol, dimethylsulfide, acetaldehyde, butanal, butyric acid and acetone concentrations decreased significantly by 74, 25, 35, 46, 21, 2 and 2%, respectively. Observed trends in exogenous cyclohexadiene and acetonitrile mimicked isoprene profile due to their similar solubility and volatility. Assignment of anaerobic threshold was possible via breath acetone. Breathomics enabled instant profiling of physio-metabolic effects and anaerobic thresholds during exercise. Profiles of exhaled volatiles indicated effects from muscular vasoconstriction, compartmental distribution of perfusion, extra-alveolar gas-exchange and energy homeostasis. Sulfur containing compounds and butyric acid turned out to be interesting for investigations of combined diet and exercise programs. Reproducible metabolic breath patterns have enhanced scopes of breathomics in sports science/medicine.

The Bindex(®) ultrasound device: reliability of cortical bone thickness measures and their relationship to regional bone mineral density.

The Bindex(®) quantitative ultrasound (QUS) device is currently available and this study analyzed (I) its relative and absolute intra- and inter-session reliability and (II) the relationship between the data provided by Bindex(®)-QUS and the bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at corresponding skeletal sites in young and healthy subjects (age: 25.0 ± 3.6 years). Bindex(®)-QUS calculates a density index on the basis of the thickness of cortical bone measured at the distal radius and the distal plus proximal tibia. The data show a very good relative and absolute intra- (ICC = 0.977, CV = 1.5%) and inter-session reliability (ICC = 0.978, CV = 1.4%) for the density index. The highest positive correlations were found between cortical thickness and BMD for the distal radius and distal tibia (r ⩾ 0.71, p < 0.001). The data indicate that the Bindex(®)-QUS parameters are repeatable within and between measurement sessions. Furthermore, the measurements reflect the BMD at specific skeletal sites. Bindex(®)-QUS might be a useful tool for the measurement of skeletal adaptations.