Abstract
A new method to monitor internal training load from muscle oxygen saturation
using near-infrared spectroscopy could be of practical application for research
and training purposes. This technology has been validated in different
scientific fields, including sports science, and Humon Hex and Moxy are two
leading brands. However, its relationship with hemoglobin has not been studied.
Forty-eight professional cyclists, 19 men and 29 women, underwent a blood test
to measure hemoglobin in the early morning. Immediately afterwards, hemoglobin
and muscle oxygenation were monitored at rest by Moxy and Humon Hex on their
right quadriceps (where the skinfold was measured). Venous blood hemoglobin was
higher than the measurement for both devices (p<0.001). Both
hemoglobin (p<0.001) and muscle oxygen saturation measurements
(p<0.05) were higher in Humon Hex than for Moxy, and there
was a reasonable reproducibility (ICC=0.35 for hemoglobin and 0.26 for
muscle oxygen saturation). Skinfold had an inverse relationship with hemoglobin
measurement (r=–0.85 p<0.001 for Humon Hex
and r=–0.75 p<0.001 for Moxy). These
findings suggest that resting hemoglobin data provided by these devices are not
coincident with those of blood sample, and skinfold has an inverse relationship
with blood hemoglobin measurement.
Key words
muscle oxygen saturation - blood sample - skinfold thickness - humon hex - moxy
