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Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Skeletal Muscle Neurovascular Coupling, Oxidative Capacity, and Microvascular Function with 'One Stop Shop' Near-infrared Spectroscopy
Published on: February 20, 2018
Relationship Between Leg Muscle Strength and Muscle Oxygenation Dynamics During Incremental Exercise in Patients With
Taiki Yamasaki1,2, Shinji Nemoto2,3, Yusuke Kasahara4
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kawasaki Municipal Tama Hospital Kawasaki Japan.
Background:
Peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2) is a critical prognostic indicator in heart failure (HF) and is influenced by skeletal muscle oxygen utilization. Muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2), assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy, reflects peripheral oxygenation capacity. Although higher leg muscle strength has been linked to greater peak V̇O2, its relationship with muscle oxygenation dynamics remains unclear.
Methods And Results:
Twenty-six men (age 64±11 years) with HF were categorized into high (n=13) and low (n=13) strength groups based on median knee extension strength normalized to body weight (BW). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) was performed while monitoring SmO2 and total hemoglobin (THb) at the right vastus lateralis. Relative changes from rest to each exercise stage were calculated. A multivariable linear mixed-effects model evaluated the association between SmO2 changes and knee extension strength, adjusting for age, log-transformed B-type natriuretic peptide (log-BNP), leg muscle mass, THb changes, and adipose tissue thickness (ATT). Log-BNP was lower in the high-strength group (P=0.001). SmO2 reductions from rest to 40-100% peak V̇O2 were greater in the high-strength group. Knee extension strength (β=0.9±0.4; P=0.016) and THb change (β=-5.6±1.5; P=0.001) predicted SmO2 changes.
Conclusions:
Higher leg muscle strength is associated with favorable muscle oxygenation dynamics during incremental exercise in HF, independent of blood volume dynamics.
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