Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) uses the relative absorption of light at 850 and 760 nm to determine skeletal muscle oxygen saturation. Previous studies have used the ratio of both signals to report muscle oxygen saturation. Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study is to assess the different approaches used to represent muscle oxygen saturation and to evaluate the pulsations of oxygenated hemoglobin/myoglobin (O2heme) and deoxygenated hemoglobin/myoglobin (Heme) signals. Method: Twelve participants, aged 20–29 years, were tested on the forearm flexor muscles using continuous-wave NIRS at rest. Measurements were taken during 2–3 min rest, physiological calibration (5 min ischemia), and reperfusion. Ten participants were included in the study analysis. Results: There was a significant difference in pulse size between O2heme and Heme signals at the three locations (p < 0.05). Resting oxygen saturation was 58.8% + 9.2%, 69.6% + 3.9%, and 89.2% + 6.9% when calibrated using O2heme, the tissue oxygenation/saturation index (TSI), and Heme, respectively. Conclusion: The difference in magnitude of O2heme and Heme pulses with each heartbeat might suggest different anatomical locations of these signals, for which calibrating with just one of the signals instead of the ratio of both is proposed. Calculations of physiological calibration must account for increased blood volume in the tissue because of the changes in blood volume, which appear to be primarily from the O2heme signal. Resting oxygen levels calibrated with Heme agree with theoretical oxygen saturation.

Background: As the knee joint is a common site for injury among younger people, the purpose of this study was to measure the skeletal muscle endurance and strength on people with prior anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee reconstruction surgery. Method: Young healthy female subjects who reported having knee reconstruction surgery more than one-year prior were tested. The skeletal muscle endurance index (EI) of the hamstrings and quadriceps muscles was determined as the decline in the specific muscle acceleration in response to 2 Hz, 4 Hz, and 6 Hz electrical stimulation. Maximal isometric muscle strength (MVC) was measured in the hamstrings and quadriceps muscles. Results: The hamstrings muscles in the injured leg had less endurance than the non-injured leg at 6 Hz stimulation (55.5 ± 13.2% versus 78.0 ± 13.3%, p < 0.01). Muscle endurance was not reduced in the quadriceps muscles in the injured leg compared to the non-injured leg at 6 Hz stimulation (78.0 ± 13.3% versus 80.3 ± 10.0%, p = 0.45). There were no differences in MVC between the injured and non-injured legs for either the hamstrings (p = 0.20) or quadriceps muscles (p = 0.67). Conclusions: Muscle endurance was reduced in the hamstrings muscles at least one-year post injury, while hamstrings strength was recovered. Reduced hamstrings muscle endurance could be a result of lack of endurance training during rehabilitation. This may contribute to re-injury in the muscle, even in people who have recovered muscle strength.

Background/Purpose: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive neurological disease that results in increased fatigue, decreased muscle function, and impaired gait and balance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between lower leg muscle function and changes in gait and balance immediately and 20 minutes after 6mins walk-induced fatigue. Methods: Six persons with MS (Patient-Determined Disease Steps 3-5) participated in the study. Perceived fatigue and demographic information were taken at baseline. Muscle fatigability and mitochondria capacity was measured in the lower leg muscles before walking. Reported fatigue (VAFS, 0-10), gait variability, gait asymmetry, and static balance were measured before and immediately after a self-paced 6 minutes treadmill walk with slight elevation, and after 20 minutes of rest. Results: Participant’s baseline MFIS score ranged from 14 - 71. There was a 173% increase in reported fatigue scores after walking. Gait was impaired with a ~26% increase in gait variability and ~40% increase in gait asymmetry immediately after walking (Cohen’s D = 0.4, 0.3 respectively). There was also ~69% increase in balance postural sway with eyes opened and a ~20% increase with eyes closed (Cohen’s D = 0.5, 0.2 respectively). Gait and balance remained impaired after 20 minutes of rest. The decline in gait parameters after walking had a negative correlation with muscle endurance (r=-0.80, p=0.03), and mitochondrial capacity (r=-0.92, p<0.01). The changes in gait and balance were more evident in participants with a higher disability. Conclusions: Six minutes of self-paced walking with slight elevation worsened gait and balance among people with MS (PwMS), which did not completely recover after 20 minutes of rest. The changes in gait after walking were associated with lower leg muscle function. Lower leg muscle function might be an important intervention target to improve gait and balance fall risk among PwMS.

NIRS uses the relative absorption of light at 850nm and 760nm, to determine skeletal muscle oxygen saturation. Previous studies have used the ratio of both signals to report muscle oxygen saturation. Purpose: To evaluate the different approaches used to represent muscle oxygen saturation, and to evaluate the pulsations of the O2heme and Heme signal. Method: Twelve participants, ages 20-29years were tested on the forearm flexor muscles using continuous wave NIRS at rest. Measurements were taken during 2-3mins rest, during physiological calibration (5-minuts Ischemia) and during reperfusion.&nbsp; Results: There was a significant difference in pulse size between O2heme and Heme signal at the three locations (p &lt; 0.05). Resting oxygen saturation was 58.8+9.2%, 69.6+3.9%, and 89.2+6.9% when calibrated using O2heme, TSI, and Heme, respectively.&nbsp; Conclusion: The difference in magnitude of O2heme and Heme pulse with each heartbeat might suggest different anatomical locations of these signals, which propose calibrating with just one of the signals instead of the ratio of both. Calculations of physiological calibration must account for increased blood volume in the tissue, because of the changes in blood volume which appear to be primarily from the O2heme signal. Resting oxygen levels calibrated with Heme agrees with theoretical oxygen saturation.

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