Characterization of muscle oxygenation response in well-trained handcyclists

• Published in: European journal of applied physiology Vol. 124; no. 11; pp. 3241 - 3251
• Main Authors: Furno Puglia, Veronica, Paquette, Myriam, Bergdahl, Andreas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.11.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Human Physiology; Muscles; Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine; Original Article; Oxygenation; Sports Medicine; Elite athletes; Paracycling; Muscle oxygenation; Aerobic fitness
• ISSN: 1439-6319; 1439-6327; 1439-6327
• DOI: 10.1007/s00421-024-05524-0

Purpose  Peripheral responses might be important in handcycling, given the involvement of small muscles compared to other exercise modalities. Therefore, the goal of this study was to compare changes in muscle oxygen saturation (∆SmO 2 ) and deoxyhemoglobin level (∆[HHb]) between different efforts and muscles. Methods  Handcyclists participated in a Wingate, a maximal incremental test and a 20-min time-trial (TT). Oxygen uptake (VO 2 ) as well as ∆SmO 2 , ∆[HHb], deoxygenation and reoxygenation rates in the triceps brachii (TB), biceps brachii (BB), anterior deltoid (AD) and extensor carpi radialis brevis (ER) were measured. Results  ER ∆[HHb]max was 37% greater in the incremental test than in the Wingate (ES = 0.392, P = 0.031). TT mean power (W/kg) was associated with BB ∆SmO 2 min measured in the incremental test (r = −0.998 [−1.190, −0.806], P = 0.002) and in the Wingate (r = −0.994 [−1.327, −0.661], P = 0.006). MAP (W/kg) was associated with Wingate BB ∆SmO 2 min (r = −0.983 [−0.999, −0.839], P = 0.003), and Wingate peak (r = 0.649 [0.379, 0.895], P = 0.008) and mean power (W/kg) (r = 0.925 [0.752, 0.972], P = 0.003) was associated with right handgrip force. The strongest physiological predictor for TT performance was BB ∆SmO 2 min in the incremental test (P = 0.002, r 2  = 0.993, SEE 0.016 W/kg), Wingate BB ∆SmO 2 min for MAP (P = 0.003, r 2  = 0.956, SEE 0.058 W/kg) and right handgrip force for Wingate peak power (P = 0.005, r 2  = 0.856, SEE 0.551 W/kg). Conclusion  Peripheral aerobic responses (muscle oxygenation) were predictive of handcycling performance.