title: NIRS measurements with elite speed skaters: comparison between the ice rink and the laboratory.
abstract: Wearable, wireless near-infrared (NIR) spectrometers were used to compare changes in on-ice short-track skating race simulations over 1,500 m with a 3-min cycle ergometry test at constant power output (400 W). The subjects were six male elite short-track speed skaters. Both protocols elicited a rapid desaturation (∆TSI%) in the muscle during early stages (initial 20 s); however, asymmetry between right and left legs was seen in ΔTSI% for the skating protocol, but not for cycling. Individual differences between skaters were present in both protocols. Notably, one individual who showed a relatively small TSI% change (-10.7%, group mean = -26.1%) showed a similarly small change during the cycling protocol (-5.8%, group mean = -14.3%). We conclude that NIRS-detected leg asymmetry is due to the specific demands of short-track speed skating. However, heterogeneity between individuals is not specific to the mode of exercise. Whether this is a result of genuine differences in physiology or a reflection of differences in the optical properties of the leg remains to be determined.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK. chesfo@essex.ac.uk.|British Olympic Medical Institute, University College London Hospital, London, UK. chesfo@essex.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hesford
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cardinale
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK.
authors.forename: Stewart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laing
authors.affiliation: British Olympic Medical Institute, University College London Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Chris E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000098:blood supply*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D012861:Skating / Q000502:physiology*; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared / Q000379:methods*