Measuring energy balance Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Measuring energy balance - Coursework Example According to Elia & Ritz, (2000), thermodynamic laws elucidate why energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but can be transformed from one state to another. Potential energy that is stored in foods in the form of calories is converted to either heat, work or storage (Dulloo et al., 2012). When the body is at rest, metabolism lingers, and there is amount of calories prerequisite to perform this. This is the basal metabolic rate. (BMR) (Westerterp et al., 2002) An analysis of the energy balance is vital in the performance of body cells. When the amount of energy that is used in body activities is less than what is taken in, physiological processes like metabolism, hormonal balance is declined. Also, testosterone echelons and reduction in different types on hormones and physical performance is affected. Thus, the analysis enables us know the amount of energy required to perform different body functions and to solve problems of energy imbalances. Douglas bags system was used to measure the energy balance. The bags are inflatable large and airtight and are mainly used to collect air expelled in the determination of consumption of oxygen and the basal metabolic rate (Schrauwen, Lichtenbelt & Westerterp, 1997). The procedure was performed under two different tasks which were; when one laid down in resting the position for five minutes and also during cycling for three minutes. This was to get different values of energy expenditures. After the air had been collected using Douglas Bags, an apparatus called Servomex was then used. Its purpose was to analyse air volume as well as its composition to give a percentage of oxygen expired during the test and also the percentage of carbon (IV) oxide expired. Lastly, the Douglas Bags were then attached to the Dry Gas Meter majorly to measure the volume of air that was contained in the Bags. After connection, the readings were taken as well as the temperature of the expired air. The second method