What Does a PNOĒ Test Measure? | Starke Industries

A PNOĒ test is a portable breath-by-breath metabolic analysis. It measures how much oxygen you consume and how much carbon dioxide you produce while you rest or exercise, then reports related cardiorespiratory and fuel-use metrics. Manufacturer materials describe about 23 metabolic and cardiorespiratory biomarkers from breath analysis, including VO₂ (and VO₂ max on exercise protocols), resting metabolic rate (RMR), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), fat versus carbohydrate contribution estimates, and ventilatory thresholds. At Starke Industries, PNOĒ cardiometabolic analysis is offered as an assessment tool to inform training and nutrition planning—not as a medical diagnosis.

What is VO₂ and why does it matter for training?

VO₂ is the volume of oxygen used per unit time. During an incremental exercise protocol, peak or maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ max / VO₂ peak) is a widely used cardiorespiratory fitness marker. Practitioners use it, and related thresholds, as monitoring indicators to set intensity zones and track change after a training block. Peer-reviewed work has compared the portable PNOĒ analyzer to established laboratory carts: Tsekouras et al. (2019) reported strong agreement with a COSMED Quark CPET for VO₂, VCO₂, ventilation, and respiratory quotient during cycle ergometry (DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2019.00024). A later walking study found PNOĒ comparable to a COSMED K5 for several cardiometabolic outcomes (Kwok et al., 2025; DOI: 10.3390/jfmk10020159).

What does resting metabolic rate (RMR) testing show?

An RMR test estimates calories burned at rest from measured gas exchange while you sit quietly and breathe into a mask. PNOĒ’s preparation guidance (shared on the Starke Industries service page) typically includes fasting and avoiding recent vigorous exercise because RMR is sensitive to recent food, caffeine, and activity. Equation-based RMR estimates can diverge from measured values for an individual; a measured RMR is one more data point for nutrition planning, not a diagnosis of a “slow metabolism.”

How is fuel use (fat vs carbohydrate) estimated?

Respiratory exchange ratio (RER / RQ)—VCO₂ divided by VO₂—helps estimate the mix of carbohydrate and fat oxidation under the conditions of the test. Those estimates are monitoring indicators for that session’s intensity and preparation status. They should not be read as a fixed personal trait or a clinical finding.

How should PNOĒ results be used?

Use results as baselines and re-tests: compare like with like, under similar preparation rules, and adjust training zones or calorie targets with a coach. Thresholds and zone cutoffs are configurable decision rules for your program, not universal clinical norms. PNOĒ testing does not replace medical evaluation for unexplained symptoms, unexplained weight change, or suspected disease.

How do I get a PNOĒ test at Starke Industries?

Fill out our quick contact form at starkeit.com/contact or call or text (847) 750-3025. Ask which PNOĒ protocol (resting, exercise, or both) matches your goals and prep rules.

Related reading

• PNOĒ Metabolic Testing Benefits
• Why Breath Is a Performance Variable
• Mastering Breath Holding: BOLT and CO2 Tolerance
• What Is VALD Testing?
• What Is EWOT?

Sources

• PNOĒ manufacturer site — breath analysis overview: https://www.pnoe.com/
• Tsekouras YE et al. Validity and Reliability of the New Portable Metabolic Analyzer PNOE. Front Sports Act Living. 2019;1:24. DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2019.00024 (Crossref confirmed; Europe PMC PMC7739780).
• Kwok MMY, Ng SSM, Myers J, So BCL. Assessing the Validity and Reliability of the PNOĒ for Measuring Cardiometabolic Outcomes During Walking Exercise. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2025;10(2):159. DOI: 10.3390/jfmk10020159 (Crossref confirmed).
• Starke Industries PNOĒ page: https://www.starkeit.com/pnoe-cardiometabolic-analysis

Fill out our quick contact form at starkeit.com/contact, or call or text (847) 750-3025. Starke Industries is in Palatine, IL.