Comprehensive Pulmonary Function Assessment

Spirometry, whole‐body plethysmography, and single‐breath diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide were assessed using a pulmonary function testing system (Vmax Encore 229 with V62J Autobox; CareFusion, Yorba Linda, USA) according to standard procedures (Graham et al., 2019 (link); Macintyre et al., 2005 (link)). Pulmonary function measurements were expressed in absolute and percent predicted values (Crapo et al., 1982 (link); Quanjer et al., 2012 (link)). Blood hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) was determined (HemoCue, Helsingborg, Sweden) to correct diffusion capacity measures. Measures of pulmonary function were performed in order to ensure that male and female participants were comparable.