Quadriceps Muscle Oxygenation during a Maximum Stress Test in Middle-Aged Athletes

Abstract

Determining oxygen muscle saturation (SmO 2 ) using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is an emerging technique that is increasingly used in sports science; therefore, it is necessary to know its results in different population groups. We analysed it in a group of recreational participants in Nordic Walking. The purpose of this research was to analyse the SmO 2 values obtained at various times from testing in a group of athletes over 45. Thirty athletes (18 males) with a mean age of 51.3 years completed a maximal exercise testing in treadmill according to a modified Bruce protocol on a ramp. The electrocardiogram was continuously monitored. We measured VO 2 max (Metalyzer 3B). In addition, we placed a Humon Hex device on the right thigh to measure quadriceps oxygenation. Heart rate, VO 2 , and SmO 2 ratios were obtained based on the exercise intensity. We obtained a SmO 2 at startup of 63.3%, standard deviation (SD) 9.2%; SmO 2 declined 61.8%, SD 11.4%; SmO 2 in VO 2 max 57.4% SD 10.2% and SmO 2 5 minutes after starting recovery 72.5% SD7.9%. There was a relationship between ventilatory thresholds and variations in SmO 2 . There were no significant differences between the sexes. We could conclude that the minimum values of SmO 2 were related to the VO 2 max. During the recovery phase, the values were higher than at rest. The information obtained could be used to control and plan the training. KEY WORDS nordic walking, muscle oxygenation, maximal exercise testing ORIGINAL SCIENTIFIC PAPER

The relationship of muscle oxygen saturation analyzer with other monitoring and quantification tools in a maximal incremental treadmill test

“…This protocol involved a race with 46 participants, of which 25 were runners and 21 were cyclists, all of whom were professional athletes who trained between 5 and 7 days a week ( Austin et al, 2005 ). SmO 2 seems to be a good indicator of effort for variable efforts, which are exercises with a changing intensity, such as on uphill and downhill terrain ( Born et al, 2017 ), while it does not seem to be a great indicator of effort for incremental efforts ( Paredes-Ruiz et al, 2020 ). However, there is some discrepancy since it does state that it is actually valid in an incremental cycle machine test ( Crum et al, 2017 ), and in another incremental race test it is mentioned that it depends on the subject ( Austin et al, 2005 ).…”

Influences of Intense Physical Effort on the Activity of the Autonomous Nervous System and Stress, as Measured with Photoplethysmography

“…This information may be adequate for the investigation and analysis of an individual, but the information is cumbersome for uninitiated people, and complex to understand for many athletes or patients. For this reason, programs and apps that analyze the basic information, and express the results in a simple and immediate way, can be useful to assess large populations quickly and easily [ 26 ]. The use of algorithms, artificial intelligence (AI), and frequency domain analysis of HRV embedded in apps and devices provides easy interpretations of these data that can be used to improve the quality of life and health of patients and users [ 28 ].…”

“…Figure 2 shows the flowchart of the actions. The ST was performed on a treadmill (model run7411) with a continuous and progressive ramp protocol [26]. Testing began at seven km/h (six km/h for women), and increased by 0.1 km/h every six seconds.…”

Muscle Oxygenation of the Quadriceps and Gastrocnemius During Maximal Aerobic Effort

“…The NIRS device is a relevant meter of the different physiological parameters during the practice of intense physical exercise. 29 It allows us to work in a more dynamic way with athletes in a larger area without having to be in a physical medicine laboratory and thus be able to carry out the training that the athlete usually practices in his day by day.…”