About this Research Topic

Background

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive optical technique for the evaluation of tissue oxygenation used for clinical, pathophysiological/physiological, and exercise performance purposes. The relative concentration changes of oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin reflect the oxygen-dependent characteristics of the near-infrared light, indicating the dynamic balance between oxygen delivery and utilization in the microvasculature (i.e., arterioles, capillaries and venules). Blood volume levels and changes can reflect the oxygen requirements and its competition at different locations of human body. The monitoring of cerebral oxygenation is a measurement of brain activity, whilst muscle oxygenation can provide measures of: a) oxygen level at rest and under exercise conditions, b) rate of re-oxygenation after ischemia or exercise, and c) oxidative metabolism or mitochondrial capacity. Recent interest has been raised regarding bone hemodynamics and the potential application of NIRS for the investigation of bone health.

This Research Topic aims to feature novel findings in the field of tissue oxygenation in general populations and athletes of different levels. The application of functional NIRS can be used to characterize the pattern of age-related changes and the responses to multiple task domains. Factors (e.g., non-muscular tissue, penetration depth, range of oxygenation status, age, gender) influencing the measurements still require further research. Despite the initial application on bone health for the evaluation of hemodynamics of the tibia or other prominent bones sites, several issues of bone hemodynamics need to be explored. The relative changes in brain and working muscles during exercise can be investigated under different conditions, with a special interest on the explanation of the origin of fatigue, either central or peripheral. Moreover, the use of NIRS for the determination of exercise intensity zones, the individualized training prescription, and breakpoints in the oxygenation responses at the level of brain, locomotor and respiratory muscles during incremental exercises need to be investigated for the determination of physical capacities, and adaptations following training programs. Finally, using NIRS to measure microvascular responses to ischemia and exercise to elucidate the importance of these vascular beds on exercise tolerance and performance.

This Research Topic welcomes articles on the following themes (but are not limited to):
- Reliability of the breakpoints in the oxygenation responses.
- Functional NIRS for the investigation of social, emotional, and motivational aging.
- Lateralization of brain activation and the activity of anterior and posterior brain regions with concomitant manipulation of cognitive load.
- Reliability of NIRS measurements at bone level and the related data processing.
- Relationship of NIRS measurements with bone strength/development and microarchitectural measurements.
- NIRS and homeostasis: Potential link between bone measurement and human red blood cells count and aerobic capacity.
- Characterization of brain load and activation during exercise in elite athletes to increase the efficiency of training and rehabilitation programs.
- Flow mediated dilation and NIRS-based microvascular responses.
- Characterization of muscle fatigue/recovery using NIRS.
- Microvascular changes and how it affects exercise tolerance.

Original research articles demonstrating high academic standard coupled with concrete practical implications will be prioritized.

Keywords: NIRS, cerebral and muscle oxygenation, hemodynamics, oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, exercise, athletes, clinical population, brain activity, fatigue

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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