Asymmetry of Quadriceps Muscle Oxygenation during Elite Short-Track Speed Skating
A new study using K4b2 shows the impact on training and performance of asimmetry in legs muscle desaturation in short-track speed skating.
The study, by the Department of Biological Sciences of the University of Essex together with the British Olympic Medical Institute, analyses the impact of the restriction of muscle blood flow, due to the low sitting position in short-track speed skating, that can lead to decreases in tissue oxygenation.
For this purposes, wearable wireless-enabled near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology was used to monitor changes in quadriceps muscle blood volume and oxygenation during a 500-m race simulation in short-track speed skaters. Six elite skaters, all of Olympic standard, were studied, completing a 500-m race simulation time trial (TT). In addition to the NIRS measurements obtained during each race simulation, respiratory gases were monitored using the COSMED K4b2 breath-by-breath pulmonary gas analyzer. This information was required to assess whether global metabolic indicators such asVO2 were related to the observations seen from NIRS at a local muscle level.
The study concludes that "The asymmetry in muscle desaturation observed on the two legs in short-track speed skating has implications for training and performance."
The article details are the following:
- Title: "Asymmetry of Quadriceps Muscle Oxygenation during Elite Short-Track Speed Skating"
- Authors: Catherine Mary hesford, Stewart J. Laing, Marco Cardinale, and Chris E. Cooper. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, United Kingdom
- Published in: Medicine & Science in Sports Medicine, 2012 DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e31822f8942
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