Original research | JSAMS Volume 27, Issue 11

Reliability of near-infrared spectroscopy in measuring muscle oxygenation during squat exercise.
Corral-Pérez et al.

New study shows reliable way to measure muscle oxygen levels during exercise

A new study has found that a specific method of tracking muscle oxygen levels could help make exercise routines more effective and tailored to individual needs. 

“This technology could be valuable in resistance training, allowing trainers and athletes to monitor muscle performance and recovery more accurately,” lead researcher Juan Corral-Pérez from the University of Cádiz, Spain, said: 

Researchers recruited 25 men, each around 22 years old, to test a method called Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS). Participants completed an eight-repetition weightlifting exercise at a set speed, with sessions spaced two days apart.

Using NIRS, scientists measured oxygen changes in two main thigh muscles, the Vastus Lateralis and Vastus Medialis, before, during, and after the exercise. 

This technique measured both oxygen-rich and oxygen-depleted hemoglobin, along with a tissue oxygenation index (TOI) to gauge muscle oxygen levels. 

The results showed strong consistency in measurements, indicating the method’s reliability.

The researchers concluded that NIRS could be a dependable tool for assessing muscle oxygen saturation, suggesting it may help in designing more customised exercise plans. 

The study is published in the November 2024 edition of the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport.

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About JSAMS

The Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport (JSAMS) is published by Sports Medicine Australia.

The journal provides high-quality, original research papers to keep Sports Medicine Australia members and subscribers informed of developments in the areas of sports exercise and medicine, sports injury, physical activity, and sports exercise and science.