Monitoring tissue oxygenation during exercise with near infrared spectroscopy in diseased populations – A brief review

Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a simple, noninvasive method for estimating tissue oxygenation and microcirculation function. NIRS has been utilized in patients with chronic heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal failure and other diseases. This brief review highlights the progress of the application of NIRS to evaluate skeletal muscle oxygenation during exercise in these populations.Relevance to industryProjects in ergonomics research need methods to assess the capability of healthy and diseased people to perform particular tasks and to prevent health and performance-related complications both during routine activities and in the long run. NIRS provides quantitative oxygenation indices for the recognition of significant disabilities. Therefore, it constitutes a valuable tool for direct observations and prospective studies in the workplace. NIRS-derived data concerning occupational health and human-work interactions can contribute to optimal design of work environments and task allocation.