Oxygen Saturation Behavior by Pulse Oximetry in Female Athletes: Breaking Myths

Abstract

The myths surrounding women’s participation in sport have been reflected in respiratory physiology. This study aims to demonstrate that continuous monitoring of blood oxygen saturation during a maximal exercise test in female athletes is highly correlated with the determination of the second ventilatory threshold (VT2) or anaerobic threshold (AnT). The measurements were performed using a pulse oximeter during a maximum effort test on a treadmill on a population of 27 healthy female athletes. A common behavior of the oxygen saturation evolution during the incremental exercise test characterized by a decrease in saturation before the aerobic threshold (AeT) followed by a second significant drop was observed. Decreases in peripheral oxygen saturation during physical exertion have been related to the athlete’s physical fitness condition. However, this drop should not be a limiting factor in women’s physical performance. We found statistically significant correlations between the maximum oxygen uptake and the appearance of the ventilatory thresholds (VT1 and VT2), the desaturation time, the total test time, and between the desaturation time and the VT2. We observed a relationship between the desaturation time and the VT2 appearance. Indeed, a linear regression model between the desaturation time and the VT2 appearance can predict 80% of the values in our sample. Besides, we suggest that pulse oximetry is a simple, fairly accurate, and non-invasive technique for studying the physical condition of athletes who perform physical exertion.

A method of determining anaerobic threshold from percutaneous oxygen saturation

“…reported that there are two inflexion points at which SpO 2 decreases before AT. Additionally, the time until the second decrease in SpO 2 is strongly correlated with the time taken to reach AT 34 . The time until the second decrease in SpO 2 is also moderately correlated with VO 2max 34 .…”

“…During incremental exercise, there are two inflection points at which the SpO 2 declines before AT. The time to the second decrease in SpO 2 and the time before AT is reached are closely correlated 34 . However, SpO 2 fluctuations during exercise are inconsistent and complex 34 .…”

“…The time to the second decrease in SpO 2 and the time before AT is reached are closely correlated 34 . However, SpO 2 fluctuations during exercise are inconsistent and complex 34 . Visual determination of the inflexion point at which SpO 2 suddenly starts to decline requires significant experience and knowledge of SpO 2 from the investigator.…”

A Wearable and Real-Time Pulse Wave Monitoring System Based on a Flexible Compound Sensor

“…There are some problems with the pulse wave sensor. The main categories of pulse wave pressure sensors include photoelectric sensors [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ], piezoresistive sensors [ 18 , 19 ], ultrasonic sensors [ 20 ], and pressure sensors [ 21 ]. Photoelectric sensors, such as PPG sensors, which have made some notable progress [ 14 , 16 , 17 ], are susceptible to light interference from external sources, and cannot measure the trend of pulse wave pressure under continuously varying pressure.…”

Diagnostic value of functional tests in determining the condition of the cardiorespiratory system

“…Часто спостерігаються явища дисонансу між нормальною макроперфузією (серцевий викид і артеріальний тиск) і гіпоперфузією тканин унаслідок дефектів мікроциркуляції в капілярному руслі [7,9]. Неінвазійна тканинна оксиметрія може допомогти вчасно виявити гемодинамічну нестабільність і непомітну гіпоксію, встановити толерантність до фізичних навантажень [10]. У педіатричній клінічній практиці найбільш часто пульсоксиметрія застосовується в неонатології, реаніматології, при пневмоніях, бронхіолітах, бронхіальній астмі та при апное різного генезу, а також у спортивній і шкільній медицині [8,[10][11][12].…”