Muscle Oxygen Desaturation is Related to Whole Body V˙O₂ During Cross-Country Ski Skating

Previous research has demonstrated that blood flow and subsequent O₂ desaturation (OD) in exercising muscle is related to the static component during exercise. In speed skating, increased OD is dissociated from whole body V˙O₂ and heart rate (HR) when the skater increases the static component by ‘sitting low’. This phenomenon was evaluated in cross-country skiers by manipulating speed and incline during treadmill roller skiing. Eight male cross-country skiers (22.4 ± 3.2 yrs old) randomly performed constant incline- and constant speed-based protocols in which increased load was manipulated in five 4 min stages by treadmill incline or speed change, respectively. A strong relationship (r = 0.83) was observed between V˙O₂ and % OD while blood volume change (ΔBV) was minimal. Unexpectedly, no HR/V˙O₂ or HR/OD shifts were observed between protocols. The % OD response, in relation to blood lactate values, during submaximal exercise was very similar to that of V˙O₂. The lack of an observed greater desaturation at higher inclines suggests that the expected static load may be attenuated by an increased contribution of poling. The strong relationship of % OD to whole body V˙O₂ may be attributed to O₂ dissociation in the capillary bed of the muscle to meet aerobic energy demand and is independent of blood flow dynamics during cross-country ski skating.

Key words:

Muscle saturation, near infrared spectroscopy, oxygen, uptake, skiing.

References

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