Background

In the last 5 years since our last systematic review, a significant number of articles have been published on the technical aspects of muscle near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), the interpretation of the signals and the benefits of using the NIRS technique to measure the physiological status of muscles and to determine the workload of working muscles.

Objectives

Considering the consistent number of studies on the application of muscle oximetry in sports science published over the last 5 years, the objectives of this updated systematic review were to highlight the applications of muscle oximetry in the assessment of skeletal muscle oxidative performance in sports activities and to emphasize how this technology has been applied to exercise and training over the last 5 years. In addition, some recent instrumental developments will be briefly summarized.

Methods

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews guidelines were followed in a systematic fashion to search, appraise and synthesize existing literature on this topic. Electronic databases such as Scopus, MEDLINE/PubMed and SPORTDiscus were searched from March 2017 up to March 2023. Potential inclusions were screened against eligibility criteria relating to recreationally trained to elite athletes, with or without training programmes, who must have assessed physiological variables monitored by commercial oximeters or NIRS instrumentation.

Results

Of the identified records, 191 studies regrouping 3435 participants, met the eligibility criteria. This systematic review highlighted a number of key findings in 37 domains of sport activities. Overall, NIRS information can be used as a meaningful marker of skeletal muscle oxidative capacity and can become one of the primary monitoring tools in practice in conjunction with, or in comparison with, heart rate or mechanical power indices in diverse exercise contexts and across different types of training and interventions.

Conclusions

Although the feasibility and success of the use of muscle oximetry in sports science is well documented, there is still a need for further instrumental development to overcome current instrumental limitations. Longitudinal studies are urgently needed to strengthen the benefits of using muscle oximetry in sports science.

中文翻译：

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运动科学中的肌肉血氧测定：更新的系统综述

背景

自我们上次系统综述以来的过去 5 年里，发表了大量关于肌肉近红外光谱 (NIRS) 技术方面、信号解释以及使用 NIRS 技术测量生理肌肉的好处的文章。肌肉状态并确定工作肌肉的工作负荷。

目标

考虑到过去 5 年发表的关于肌肉血氧测定法在运动科学中应用的研究数量一致，本次更新的系统综述的目的是强调肌肉血氧测定法在评估体育活动中骨骼肌氧化性能中的应用，并强调过去 5 年如何将这项技术应用于锻炼和训练。此外，还将简要总结一些最近的仪器发展。

方法

以系统的方式遵循系统评价的首选报告项目指南来搜索、评估和综合有关该主题的现有文献。从 2017 年 3 月到 2023 年 3 月，对 Scopus、MEDLINE/PubMed 和 SPORTDiscus 等电子数据库进行了检索。根据与接受过或未接受过训练计划的精英运动员进行娱乐训练相关的资格标准，筛选了潜在的入选者，这些运动员必须评估由商用血氧计或 NIRS 仪器。

结果

在已确定的记录中，有 191 项研究重新分组了 3435 名参与者，符合资格标准。这项系统回顾强调了 37 个体育活动领域的一些重要发现。总体而言，NIRS 信息可以用作骨骼肌氧化能力的有意义的标记，并且可以成为实践中与不同运动环境和不同类型的心率或机械功率指数结合或比较的主要监测工具之一的培训和干预措施。

结论

尽管在运动科学中使用肌肉血氧测定法的可行性和成功已有充分记录，但仍然需要进一步开发仪器以克服当前仪器的局限性。迫切需要纵向研究来加强在运动科学中使用肌肉血氧测定法的益处。