Calorimetry Room

The operations of the room calorimeter is supported by resources provided by the received support from the Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CCTSI) and the Colorado Nutrition and Obesity Research Center (NORC).

Indirect calorimetry is the measurement of respiratory gas exchange (e.g. oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2)) to determine the metabolic rate of an organism. Total daily EE and substrate oxidation are determined from oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide. Gas concentrations are determined from the flow rate and the differences in CO2 and O2 concentrations between entering and exiting air. The metabolic room is sealed, but fresh air is constantly drawn in. The room calorimeter uses a state of the art metabolic measurement system from Sable Instruments (Sable Systems International, Las Vegas, NV).

The room is 12 feet by 12 feet and contains a regular hospital bed, toilet, telephone, a workstation (desk, computer, chair), and a cable TV with a DVD player. We have exercise equipment that can be used include a treadmill, stationary bike and dumbbell weights. The room is equipped with a close-circuit camera that can be viewed in the control room and at the nursing station for safety monitoring. The calorimeter is also equipped with an intercom system which facilitates communication with the research subjects during studies. In most of our studies, participants will be asked to stay in the metabolic room (calorimeter) for 12-24hrs at a time. Food and beverages will be provided during a stay in the metabolic room.

To get a better idea of what it's like to stay in our metabolic room, scroll through our photos or watch the video below!