2026 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Optical Motion Capture as a Noninvasive Alternative to Indirect Calorimetry for Ventilatory Assessment

Document Type

Student Presentation

Presentation Date

4-24-2026

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Tyler Brown

Abstract

A metabolic analyzer tracks real-time breathing to measure oxygen and carbon dioxide use during exercise to determine an individual’s energy expenditure, fitness, and metabolic thresholds through indirect calorimetry. It has long been considered the gold standard for assessing cardiopulmonary and metabolic function. However, metabolic analyzers are bulky, expensive and require a restrictive mask that interfere with natural respiratory mechanics, and potentially alter breathing during exercise. Recent advances in optical motion capture demonstrate promise for estimating cardiopulmonary function and ventilatory output without the bulk and constriction of metabolic analyzers. With that in mind, this study quantified ventilatory measures with reflective abdominal motion capture markers and compared ventilatory measures obtained with a portable metabolic analyzer. To date, 4 healthy participants (two male, two female) had respiratory frequency (����) and tidal volume (����) derived quantified from motion capture and measured with portable during a ramped treadmill running protocol.

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