Muscle oxygenation in response to high intensity interval exercises among high trained judokas

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Typical judo exercise consists of many acyclic, intermittent activity involving different types of muscle contractions, which makes monitoring judo trainings' process effectiveness challenging. The following study applied the near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRS) as a diagnostic tool in highly-trained judo athletes during an interval exercise, simulating the intermittent physical activity of a judo match. It was also designed to examine, whether muscle oxygenation, cardio-respiratory fitness capacity, and acid-base status differs between female (FJT) and male (MJT) athletes.

METHODS:

Judokas completed the same exercise protocol - a triple Wingate test separated by 4-minute rests. Before, directly after each WAnT as well as 15 minutes and 1 hour after the third WAnT, blood lactate (LA) and acid-base balance were determined. During the testing session the breath-by-breath pulmonary gas exchange method was used.

RESULTS:

Recorded values of concentration changes in oxyhemoglobin (O₂Hb), deoxyhemoglobin (HHb) and absolute measure of O₂Hb saturation represented as tissue oxygenation index (TOI) revealed significant differences between groups (p≤ 0.05). Significant differences among cardio-respiratory factors were only noted between minute ventilation, and respiratory exchange ratio. Differences in blood lactate, HCO3 ^- , and arterial pH were noted after the second and third test as well as 15 minutes after the protocol's completion.

CONCLUSION:

Collected data indicate that muscle oxygenation during the supramaximal exercise differed between genders, likely due to the influence of blood lactate accumulation on oxygen unloading and reduction in blood flow. Using NIRS, metabolic differences between groups were non-invasively determined, with the recorded data confirming the significance of an aerobic metabolism in judo, even during high-intensity exercise.