Reply to Garcia-Tabar et al.: Quality control of open-circuit respirometry: real-time, laboratory-based systems. Let us spread "good practice".

PURPOSE: This article is in response to the Letter of Garcia-Tabar et al. [Eur J Appl Physiol (in press), 2018] relating to the issue of post-test sensor calibration 'verification'. This issue is poorly addressed in contemporary patient-related position statements on cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). METHODS: Post-test sensor calibration verification approaches were compared. RESULT: The potential impact on data quality of changing sensor calibration during the course of an exercise test was described. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that post-test sensor calibration verification be incorporated into existing CPET 'best practice'.