Skip to main content

Respiratory Quotient Assessment

Meaning

Respiratory Quotient (RQ) assessment is a non-invasive clinical measurement that quantifies the ratio of carbon dioxide produced to oxygen consumed (VCO2 / VO2) at the cellular level during steady-state conditions. This ratio provides an immediate, accurate snapshot of the body’s primary metabolic fuel source, indicating whether the system is predominantly burning carbohydrates (RQ near 1.0) or fats (RQ near 0.7). It is a vital tool for assessing metabolic flexibility and basal energy expenditure in clinical practice.