Measurement of regional forearm muscle haemodynamics via the near-infrared spectroscopy venous occlusion technique: the impact of hand circulatory occlusion

The purpose of this study was to examine whether circulatory occlusion of the hand impacts on regional forearm muscle haemodynamics as determined by the near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) venous occlusion technique (NIRSVOT). Twenty-five young, healthy participants (18 males and 7 females; 28 ± 4 years; 71 ± 7 kg) completed two experimental protocols that were performed on the dominant arm: (1) a series of five venous occlusion trials with a suprasystolic cuff (>260 mmHg) applied to the wrist and (2) five venous occlusion trials without hand-occlusion. Both protocols were performed twice in a counterbalanced manner. NIRS data were obtained from the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) muscle using a dual wavelength, continuous-wave spectrophotometer. FDS muscle blood flow (Q(FDS)), vascular conductance (C(FDS)), O2 consumption (Vo(2FDS)), and venous O2 saturation (SvO2) were calculated from NIRS data during the initial 5 s of venous occlusion. Circulatory occlusion of the hand via wrist cuffing significantly (P < 0.05) reduced Q(FDS) (-36 ± 23%), CFDS (-37 ± 23%), Vo2(FDS) (-14 ± 31%) and SvO2 (-14 ± 12%). These findings indicate that hand-occlusion, via wrist cuffing, adversely impacts on regional forearm haemodynamics as determined by the NIRS-VOT. Consequently, it is recommended that future investigators avoid hand-occlusion when using the NIRS-VOT to quantify spontaneous haemodynamics of regional forearm muscle.