Asymmetry of quadriceps muscle oxygenation during elite short-track speed skating.

Purpose: It has been suggested that, because of the low sitting position in short-track speed skating, muscle blood flow is restricted, leading to decreases in tissue oxygenation. Therefore, wearable wireless-enabled near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology was used to monitor changes in quadriceps muscle blood volume and oxygenation during a 500-m race simulation in short-track speed skaters.

Methods: Six elite skaters, all of Olympic standard (age = 23 ± 1.