Differences in oxygen re-saturation of thigh and calf muscles after two treadmill stress tests

Spatially resolved near-infrared oximeters quantify non-invasively muscle haemoglobin oxygen saturation (TOI) and, indirectly, local venous oxygen saturation (SvO(2)) and blood flow (MBF). TOI, SvO(2) and MBF of vastus lateralis and medial gastrocnemius were investigated after 5-min walking (3.2 km/h) and running (9.6 km/h) (n=7). The values of TOI were unchanged in the vastus lateralis during walking, whilst decreased during running in both muscles. For both muscles, TOI and SvO(2) values after walking were significantly greater than those found after running (P=0.043). The TOI went back (in 2 min) to its baseline value after walking in both muscles, whilst more slowly (in 4 min) after running in vastus lateralis. After running TOI of medial gastrocnemius had a tendency to be higher than the baseline value (reactive hyperaemia), concomitantly to the high MBF (twice the control value). The diverse oxygen demand in the stress tests and the consequent different pattern of TOI recovery reflect the different engagement of the two muscles. In conclusion, these results demonstrated the utility of TOI, independent of MBF and SvO(2), to be measured upon specific stress testing for differentiating the severity of peripheral vascular diseases and for assessing the collateral blood flow.