Muscle microvascular oxygen delivery limitations during the contraction phase of intermittent maximal effort contractions.

Purpose: The end-test torque (ETT) during intermittent maximal effort contractions reflects the highest contraction intensity at which a muscle metabolic steady-state can be attained. This study determined if ETT is the highest intensity at which the contraction phase of intermittent exercise does not limit the matching of microvascular oxygen delivery to muscle oxygen demand.

Methods: Microvascular oxygenation characteristics of the biceps brachii muscle were measured in sixteen young, healthy individuals (8M/8F, 22 ± 3 years, 80.