Lung Diffusing Capacity for Nitric Oxide During Cycling Exercise

Test-retest Reliability of Lung Diffusing Capacity for Nitric Oxide During Light and Moderate Intensity Cycling Exercise

This study investigates the test-retest reliability of the lung diffusing capacity for nitric oxide in healthy individuals during exercise.

The aim of this study of to evaluate the test-retest reliability of single-breath lung diffusing capacity measurements for nitric oxide (DLNO) in healthy individuals during light and moderate intensity cycling exercise. Healthy subjects will perform repeated single-breath DLNO measurements during light (i.e., at 50% of the first ventilatory threshold) and moderate intensity exercise (i.e., 80% of the first ventilatory threshold) on a stationary cycle ergometer.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy
• Age 18 yrs and older
• Ability to follow study procedures and instructions in German

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any known cardiopulmonary or metabolic diseases (e.g., heart disease, diabetes mellitus etc)
• Obesity (BMI > 30kg/m2)
• Smoking (ex-smoker allowed; if they stopped smoking at least one year before the examination)
• Mental impairment leading to inability to cooperate
• Respiratory infection in the last two weeks
• Forced expiratory volume in 1s/ forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC ratio) FEV1/FVC ratio < lower limit of normal according to equations by Quanjer et al. Eur Respir J 2012.