Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 17, 2025

Supramaximal Intensity Hypoxic Exercise and Vascular Function Assessment in Mice
Published on: March 15, 2019
Impact of supine versus upright exercise on muscle deoxygenation heterogeneity during ramp incremental cycling is
Richie P Goulding1,2,3, Dai Okushima4, Yoshiyuki Fukuoka5
1Laboratory for Myology, Vrije Universiteit, O|2 Labgebouw, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. gouldingrichie@gmail.com.
Purpose:
We tested the hypothesis that incremental ramp cycling exercise performed in the supine position (S) would be associated with an increased reliance on muscle deoxygenation (deoxy[heme]) in the deep and superficial vastus lateralis (VLd and VLs, respectively) and the superficial rectus femoris (RFs) when compared to the upright position (U).
Methods:
11 healthy men completed ramp incremental exercise tests in S and U. Pulmonary [Formula: see text]O2 was measured breath-by-breath; deoxy[heme] was determined via time-resolved near-infrared spectroscopy in the VLd, VLs and RFs.
Results:
Supine exercise increased the overall change in deoxy[heme] from baseline to maximal exercise in the VLs (S: 38 ± 23 vs. U: 26 ± 15 μM, P < 0.001) and RFs (S: 36 ± 21 vs. U: 25 ± 15 μM, P < 0.001), but not in the VLd (S: 32 ± 23 vs. U: 29 ± 26 μM, P > 0.05).
Conclusions:
The present study supports that the impaired balance between O2 delivery and O2 utilization observed during supine exercise is a regional phenomenon within superficial muscles. Thus, deep muscle defended its O2 delivery/utilization balance against the supine-induced reductions in perfusion pressure. The differential responses of these muscle regions may be explained by a regional heterogeneity of vascular and metabolic control properties, perhaps related to fiber type composition.
More Related Videos
09:04Skeletal Muscle Neurovascular Coupling, Oxidative Capacity, and Microvascular Function with 'One Stop Shop' Near-infrared Spectroscopy
Published on: February 20, 2018
09:33Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Wearable Devices to Identify Central Versus Peripheral Limitations During Exercise
Published on: December 19, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Respiration and Gaseous Exchange
Respiration involves the exchange of gases, especially oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2), between the alveoli and body cells, a process facilitated by blood circulation. As a result, the cardiovascular system, which involves...
Muscle Recovery and Fatigue
Oxygen Transport in the Blood
Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...