Near-infrared spectroscopy of the thigh fails to discriminate cyclists with arterial endofibrosis from normal asymptomatic athletes

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study is to assess the applicability and performance of the near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in the diagnosis of exercise-induced arterial endofibrosis (EIAE). METHODS: NIRS was measured on each thigh, in 12 highly trained asymptomatic cyclists (controls) and 14 EIAE patients highly trained competition cyclists. All patients had an incremental bicycle stress test until exhaustion or symptom limitation. Results are presented as median (25°; 75° centiles) and between groups difference calculated with Mann–Whitney test. RESULTS: Six of the NIRS recordings technically failed: three in controls and three in EIAE patients due to probe disconnection. In the remaining nine controls and 11 EIAE patients, no difference was found at peak exercise for tissue saturation index (−2.0% [−8.5; 2.1] vs. −4.0% [−5.9; 5.5]; P = 0.710) or for half-time recovery (42.0 s [24.9; 105.0] vs. 42.0 s [33.0; 112.7]; P = 0.905) between EIAE and controls, respectively. CONCLUSION: NIRS, when available, does not satisfactorily discriminate patients with EIAE from asymptomatic healthy athletes.

Keywords

• diagnostic method
• endurance sports
• exercise-induced arterial endofibrosis
• incremental test
• near-infrared spectroscopy