Application of FT-IR spectroscopy to assess physiological stress in rugby players during fatigue test

Abstract

Introduction: The diagnosis based on salivary biomarkers provides information about the physiological condition. However, the clinical trials used to analyze these biomarkers are relatively expensive and laborious. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify the physiological stress in players using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Methods: Thirteen male rugby players were submitted to the treadmill fatigue test and saliva collections were performed before and immediately after test. The FT-IR spectra of saliva samples were analyzed by the second derivative and cluster analysis. Results: From the results of cluster analysis were possible to discriminate the spectra of saliva before and after physical effort using the spectral region between 1490 to 1420 cm -1. Only the saliva spectra from two players were not discriminated in pre-exercise group and post-exercise group, which are in agreement with lowest value of heart rates. Conclusion: The second derivative showed differences between the average spectra of saliva samples collected pre and post-test, which explain the spectra discrimination by the cluster analysis using a specific infrared region for the identification of physiological stress.

Photonics of human saliva: potential optical methods for the screening of abnormal health conditions and infections

“…These studies have identified differentiating features in 2800–3000 cm -1 assigned to lipids and proteins in periodontitis patients (Derruau et al 2019 ). ATR-FTIR spectroscopic investigation of saliva has also been exploited to monitor the physiological stress in human body (Khaustova et al 2010 ; Caetano Júnior et al 2016 ). Ferreira et al have recently shown the possibility of using IR spectra of saliva for non-invasive breast cancer detection.…”