Near Infrared Spectroscopy-Based Mitochondrial Capacity is Associated with Normalized Clinical Assessments of Muscular Performance for the Vastus Lateralis in Young Healthy Physically Active Adults
Open Access
Author:
Demalis, Alaina
Area of Honors:
Kinesiology
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Giampietro Luciano Vairo, Thesis Supervisor Mary Jane De Souza, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Near Infrared Spectroscopy Mitochondrial Capacity vastus lateralis Endurance
Abstract:
Objective: To examine a relation between Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS)-based mitochondrial capacity, and clinical measures of muscular endurance for the vastus lateralis in a young, healthy, and physically active adult population. Design and Settings: A descriptive laboratory study was conducted in a controlled setting. Participants: Fourteen (7 men, 7 women) young, healthy, and physically active participants (age = 23.07 3.1 years, height = 1.72 0.10 m, mass = 65.76 14.26 kg, body mass index = 22.03 2.64 kg/m2, International Physical Activity Questionnaire Score = 3691.71 1374.49 METs) were consecutively enrolled in this research study. Bilateral measures were taken from each participant for a total of 28 samples. Measurements: Knee extensor muscle endurance was assessed using isokinetic dynamometry and measured as relative total work (J/kg). Mitochondrial capacity was assessed using NIRS, and reported as a rate of recovery (min-1). Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient (r) analyzed associations between mitochondrial capacity and muscular endurance. P < 0.05 denoted statistical significance a priori. Results: A statistically significant correlation, which may be described as being moderate, existed between mitochondrial capacity and knee extensor relative total work (r = 0.43; P = 0.02; 95% CI = 0.07, 0.69). Conclusions: NIRS-based measures of mitochondrial capacity is moderately associated with relative muscular endurance for the vastus lateralis in a young, healthy, and physically active adult population. Therefore, individuals with greater mitochondrial capacity demonstrate an increased capacity to generate muscle work per body mass. This indicates NIRS may be used as a clinically relevant tool to gauge skeletal muscle fatigue resistance in the quadriceps, which is an important variable in sports performance and injury prevention.
