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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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01-06-2023 | Original Article

Muscle oxygen saturation rates coincide with lactate-based exercise thresholds

Authors: Philip M. Batterson, Brett S. Kirby, Georg Hasselmann, Andri Feldmann

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 10/2023

Abstract

Introduction

Monitoring muscle metabolic activity via blood lactate is a useful tool for understanding the physiological response to a given exercise intensity. Recent indications suggest that skeletal muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂), an index of the balance between local O₂ supply and demand, may describe and predict endurance performance outcomes.

Purpose

We tested the hypothesis that SmO₂ rate is tightly related to blood lactate concentration across exercise intensities, and that deflections in SmO₂ rate would coincide with established blood lactate thresholds (i.e., lactate thresholds 1 and 2).

Methods

Ten elite male soccer players completed an incremental running protocol to exhaustion using 3-min work to 30 s rest intervals. Blood lactate samples were collected during rest and SmO₂ was collected continuously via near-infrared spectroscopy from the right and left vastus lateralis, left biceps femoris and the left gastrocnemius.

Results

Muscle O₂ saturation rate (%/min) was quantified after the initial 60 s of each 3-min segment. The SmO₂ rate was significantly correlated with blood lactate concentrations for all muscle sites; RVL, r = − 0.974; LVL, r = − 0.969; LG, r = − 0.942; LHAM, r = − 0.907. Breakpoints in SmO₂ rate were not significantly different from LT1 or LT2 at any muscle sites (P > 0.05). Bland–Altman analysis showed speed threshold estimates via SmO₂ rate and lactate are similar at LT2, but slightly greater for SmO₂ rate at LT1.

Conclusions

Muscle O₂ saturation rate appears to provide actionable information about maximal metabolic steady state and is consistent with bioenergetic reliance on oxygen and its involvement in the attainment of metabolic steady state.

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Title: Muscle oxygen saturation rates coincide with lactate-based exercise thresholds
Authors: Philip M. Batterson
Brett S. Kirby
Georg Hasselmann
Andri Feldmann
Publication date: 01-06-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 10/2023
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-023-05238-9

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Muscle oxygen saturation rates coincide with lactate-based exercise thresholds

Abstract

Introduction

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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