Back Extensor Muscle Oxygenation and Blood Volume Comparisons during Two Endurance Exercise Modes

Abstract

Since the current near-infrared spectroscopy devices do not measure absolute muscle saturation, normalization of hemodynamic measurements by occluding blood flow to muscles is considered acceptable. However, physiological reference for the paraspinal muscles is difficult with occlusion techniques. This study compared muscle oxygenation and blood volume responses in healthy men and women during: static back muscle endurance test (SBME) and stepwise incremental repetitive pushing-pulling exercise (PP). On two separate days, subjects completed SBME and PP until volitional exhaustion. Both oxygenation and blood volume values were obtained from the right erector spinae muscle. At volitional exhaustion, PP resulted in greater deoxygenation than during SBME (P<0.05). However, physiological change observed (calculated as the difference between the maximum and minimum values for oxygenation and blood volume) was not significantly different between exercise modes in both genders, suggesting either endurance exercise modes can be used interchangeably to establish physiological limits for the lumbar muscle.