Comparison of Intercostal and Quadriceps Femoris Muscle Oxygenation in Women and Men

Comparison of Intercostal and Quadriceps Femoris Muscle Oxygenation During Upper Extremity and Lower Extremity Maximal Exercise Tests in Women and Men

The differences in physiological responses due to gender during exercise tests have recently begun to be investigated. The oxygen use of respiratory muscles and lower extremity muscles may differ during upper and lower extremity exercise tests, but there is no study on this subject in the literature. The primary aim of this study was to compare intercostal and quadriceps femoris muscle oxygenation during upper extremity and lower extremity maximal exercise tests in women and men. The secondary aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between intercostal and quadriceps femoris muscle oxygenation and upper extremity and lower extremity exercise capacity, body composition, respiratory muscle strength, and respiratory muscle endurance in women and men.

Differences in physiological responses due to gender during exercise tests have recently been investigated. In a study, it was determined that respiratory muscles such as intercostals use more oxygen during exercise tests in women. It was shown that this situation is related to the smaller rib cage, mechanical disadvantage of the diaphragm, narrower airway diameter and greater activation of accessory respiratory muscles in women. The fact that respiratory muscles consume more oxygen in women causes blood flow to the respiratory muscles to be higher. This situation causes a decrease in the amount of oxygen carried to the peripheral muscles, which may cause early fatigue in the peripheral muscles during the exercise test. Muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) indicates the oxygen uptake and oxygen consumption of the muscle. This can be determined using continuous wave near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS, 630-850 nm) device, which measures changes in the amount of hemoglobin bound to oxygen at the microvascular level. Research on gender-related differences and how SmO2 levels in these muscles change during exercise in women is limited. The aim of the study was to compare intercostal and quadriceps femoris muscle oxygenation during upper extremity and lower extremity maximal exercise tests in women and men.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged between 18-35 years,
• Physically active (doing moderate intensity physical activity 3 days a week for 150 minutes / week)
• Volunteer to participate in the study will be included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Healthy individuals with any diagnosed chronic or systemic disease,
• Those who smoke 10 packs x years or more,
• Those with pneumonia or any acute infection,
• Those with any psychiatric disorder will not be included in the study.