Wearable near-infrared spectroscopy: reliability and sensitivity among different endurance cycling exercise intensities

Abstract

The present study investigated the reliability and sensitivity of a wearable near-infrared spectroscopy (wNIRS) device in moderate and heavy exercise intensity domains. On three separate days, eleven males performed an incremental test to exhaustion, and in the following visits, four submaximal constant-load bouts (i.e., test and retest) were performed in the moderate-intensity domain (100 and 130 W) and heavy-intensity domain (160 and 190 W). The local tissue oxygen saturation index (SmO2) and pulmonary oxygen uptake (V̇O2) were measured continuously. The absolute SmO2 and V̇O2 values and the change (Δ) from the 3rd to 6th min of exercise were calculated. There was good reliability for SmO2 measurements, as indicated by the high intraclass correlation coefficient analysis (ICC ≥0.84 for all) and low coefficient of variation between the two trials (CV ≤4.1% for all). Steady-state responses were observed for SmO2 and V̇O2 from the 3rd to the 6th min in the two moderate-intensity bouts (P>0.05), whereas SmO2 decreased and V̇O2 increased from the 3rd to the 6th min in the two heavy-intensity bouts (P<0.05). Together, these findings suggested that the SmO2 measured with a wNIRS device is reliable and sensitive to track local metabolic changes provoked by slight increments in exercise intensity.

Figure 1. Experimental design overview.

Figure 2. Muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) at the first test and at the retest 48 h after for each exercise bout. Data are reported as mean and individual values.

Figure 3. Oxygen uptake (A) and muscle oxygen saturation (B) at baseline (time zero) and at min 3 and 6 during each exercise bout. Data are reported as means±SD. *P<0.05 from min 3 for 160 and 190 W (ANOVA).