Oxygen equivalent

Oxygen Equivalent

Oxygen equivalent (pronunciation: /ˈɒksɪdʒən ɪˈkwɪvələnt/) is a term used in medicine and physiology to quantify the amount of oxygen that is being consumed by the body during physical activity. It is often used in the context of cardiopulmonary exercise testing and respiratory physiology.

Etymology

The term "oxygen equivalent" is derived from the English words "oxygen" and "equivalent". "Oxygen" comes from the Greek words "oxys" (acid, literally 'sharp', from the taste of acids) and "genes" (producer, literally 'begetter'). "Equivalent" comes from the Latin word "aequivalentem" (equal in value).

Definition

The oxygen equivalent is a measure of the volume of oxygen consumed by the body per unit of energy expenditure. It is typically expressed in milliliters of oxygen per kilocalorie of energy expenditure. The oxygen equivalent is used to assess the efficiency of the body's oxygen transport system and the metabolic demands of physical activity.

Calculation

The oxygen equivalent is calculated by dividing the rate of oxygen consumption (VO2) by the rate of energy expenditure. The rate of oxygen consumption is typically measured in milliliters per minute, while the rate of energy expenditure is typically measured in kilocalories per minute. The resulting value is the oxygen equivalent, expressed in milliliters of oxygen per kilocalorie.

Related Terms

Oxygen Consumption (VO2): The amount of oxygen that is consumed by the body during physical activity.
Energy Expenditure: The amount of energy that is expended by the body during physical activity.
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing: A method of assessing the functional capacity of the heart and lungs during exercise.
Respiratory Physiology: The study of the processes involved in the uptake and distribution of oxygen by the body.