Kong Y. Chen, Ph.D.
Robert Brychta, Ph.D.
The mission of the Human Energy and Body Weight Regulation Core is to collaborate with investigators from across the NIDDK and other clinical research programs at the NIH in order to collect metabolic and physiological phenotyping measurements in healthy volunteers and in patients. The core supports the collection of highly sensitive, continuous measurements of whole-body energy metabolism by using standard bedside indirect calorimetry measurements of resting energy expenditure, and by using metabolic chambers over a 24-hour period, distinguishing among sleep, post-prandial, resting, exercise, recovery, and spontaneous movement periods, substrate oxidation rates over 24 hours, physical activity during free living, heart rate and heart rate variability, and skin and core body temperatures.
The core also provides standardized measurements of cardio-respiratory fitness (maximum and submaximum tests using upright, recumbent, and treadmill) and body composition (collected using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry [DXA], air-displacement plethysmography [BodPod], bioelectrical impedance, and anthropometry). In addition, staff members advise and consult with clinical research teams to optimize measurement selection and protocol design. Finally, core members coordinate and provide measurement services, perform routine equipment calibrations and maintenance, and manage related data.
