Near-infrared spectroscopy-derived total haemoglobin as an indicator of changes in muscle blood flow during exercise-induced hyperaemia

• Published in: Journal of sports sciences Vol. 38; no. 7; pp. 751 - 758
• Main Authors: Alvares, Thiago Silveira, Oliveira, Gustavo Vieira de, Soares, Rogério, Murias, Juan Manuel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Routledge 02-04-2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Blood flow; Blood vessels; Doppler effect; Femoral artery; Hemoglobin; Hyperemia; Infrared spectroscopy; microcirculation; Microvasculature; Muscle contraction; Near-infrared spectroscopy; Reperfusion; resistance exercise; Spectrum analysis; Ultrasound; Vasodilators; Velocity; resistance exercise; blood flow; microcirculation; Near-infrared spectroscopy
• ISSN: 0264-0414; 1466-447X
• DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2020.1733774

Blood flow changes in response to exercise have been attributed, among other factors, to the effect of vasodilators factors on the microvasculature, suggesting a close relationship between small blood vessels and conducting arteries. The main purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the changes in near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-derived total haemoglobin ([tHb]) and muscle oxygen saturation (SmO
2
) signals and femoral artery blood flow in response to resistance exercise at fast- and slow-velocity muscle contraction. The study randomised crossover design included twelve participants. NIRS and blood flow measurements were continuously monitored before, during, and 5 min after the exercise protocol. There was a significant correlation between [tHb] reperfusion slope ([tHb]
slope
) and peak blood flow (BF
peak
) after slow- and fast-velocity muscle contraction (r = 0.83, p = 0.0008 and r = 0.72, p = 0.0080, respectively). No significant correlation existed between the SmO
2
reperfusion slope (SmO
2_slope
) and BF
peak
after both slow- and fast-velocity muscle contraction exercise (r = −0.46, p = 0.1253 and r = 0.33, p = 0.2841, respectively). This study demonstrated a strong relationship between the NIRS-derived [tHb] and Doppler ultrasound BF during the recovery period of dynamic resistance exercise at both slow- and fast-velocity contraction.