Abstract
Early identification of individuals at risk for future adverse cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction and stroke, is critical for implementing targeted interventions that preserve physical function and independence. Microvascular function has emerged as a key marker of cardiovascular risk; however, multiple techniques exist to assess reactive hyperemia. Ultrasound-derived brachial artery hyperemic peak velocity (HPV) following cuff release has previously been associated with cardiovascular outcomes, with higher velocities corresponding to a nearly 50% reduction in risk. However, it remains unclear which near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)–derived skeletal muscle tissue oxygenation (StO2, %) responses quantified during a vascular occlusion test (VOT) relate to HPV. Identifying such relationships may support the use of NIRS-VOT as a rapid and scalable approach for assessing cardiovascular risk and responsiveness to lifestyle interventions. PURPOSE: Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine which NIRS-VOT outcomes were associated with HPV. METHODS: Ten healthy adults (8 men; 30 ± 8 yr; 175.9 ± 12.5 cm; 86.8 ± 21.6kg) completed two separate visits. NIRS was captured on the forearm flexors, and pulse wave velocity from Doppler was assessed on the brachial artery during a VOT. That is, NIRS and Doppler were measured simultaneously in the following sequence: 2 min baseline, 5 min ischemia, cuff release, and 3 min reperfusion. The NIRS outcomes were baseline StO2, desaturation rate (slope at 2-3 min of ischemia), StO2min, upslope, StO2max, and re-saturation magnitude. HPV (cm/s) was determined as the maximum anterograde Doppler velocity observed after cuff release (retrograde velocities excluded). Associations between HPV and NIRS outcomes were assessed with Pearson correlations (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Averaged values from the two experimental visits were analyzed for associations. StO2min was significantly associated with HPV (r = −0.641, 95% CI: −0.905 to −0.018, p = 0.046), such that greater ischemic desaturation was related to higher HPV. No other NIRS-VOT outcomes were significantly associated with HPV (p>0.05). Although not statistically significant, and given the limited sample size, trending relationships were also considered for the rate of desaturation (r = −0.433, 95% CI: −0.835 to 0.270, p = 0.211) and re-saturation magnitude (r = 0.532, 95% CI: −0.147 to 0.870, p = 0.113). CONCLUSION: The extent of ischemic desaturation may influence subsequent reactive hyperemia responses, including HPV. These findings highlight the potential role of skeletal muscle metabolic health in cardiovascular risk assessment. Accordingly, resistance exercise may warrant further consideration as a strategy to reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Furthermore, the magnitude of post-ischemic re-saturation may provide complementary information to HPV. Although further studies are needed to confirm these observations, the present findings support NIRS-VOT as a promising tool for assessing disease risk and responsiveness to lifestyle interventions such as exercise.
Recommended Citation
Kerr, William M.; Pennartz, Kase J.; Hein, Ethan J.; Sprick, Justin D.; and Keller, Joshua L.
(2026)
"NIRS-VOT Measures that Relate to Hyperemic Peak Velocity,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
18, Article 28.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss18/28