Quadriceps Muscle Oxygen Availability between Highly- Ranked and Club Sailors during Successive Simulated Hiking Bouts

Quadriceps Muscle Oxygen Availability between Highly- Ranked and Club Sailors during Successive Simulated Hiking Bouts

Reports indicate that top-class compared to less welltrained sailors demonstrate greater hiking abilities by sustaining greater fractions of their maximum quadriceps muscle strength. The aim of this study is to investigate the extent to which central hemodynamic and local muscle capacities for oxygen transport and extraction are superior in highly-ranked compared to less well-ranked sailors. Six highly-ranked and six club sailors performed 3 successive 2-min hiking bouts followed by a 4th bout to exhaustion. Vastus lateralis muscle deoxygenated hemoglobin concentration (an index of local muscle oxygen extraction) was measured by Near- Infrared Spectroscopy, whereas cardiac output was determined using impedance cardiography. Six highly-ranked and six club sailors performed 3 successive 2-min hiking bouts followed by a 4th bout to exhaustion. Vastus lateralis muscle deoxygenated hemoglobin concentration (an index of local muscle oxygen extraction) was measured by Near- Infrared Spectroscopy, whereas cardiac output was determined using impedance cardiography. Highly-ranked sailors exhibit superior cardiovascular and quadriceps muscle oxygen utilization capacities. Such superior central and peripheral muscle capacities for oxygen transport and utilization may explain why highly-ranked sailors demonstrate advanced hiking ability.