Advancing Rigor in Preclinical Energy Expenditure Analysis: Highlights From a New Consensus Guide.

Abstract

Recent advances in indirect calorimetry have expanded the capacity to characterize energy metabolism in rodent models. However, the lack of standardized analytical and reporting practices continues to impair between-study comparability and reproducibility. A recently published consensus guide addresses these limitations by providing methodological and statistical recommendations for preclinical energy expenditure research. This Perspective summarizes the main elements of the guide and highlights their relevance for enhancing analytical rigor, data harmonization, and integration with emerging computational frameworks.