20.500.12556/RUL-181164 Assessing the feasibility of near-infrared spectroscopy for evaluating physiological exercise thresholds To examine the feasibility of using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for physiological threshold detection and whether NIRS-derived parameters differ between highly-trained and less-trained cyclists. Twenty-seven male cyclists were divided into: highly trained endurance cyclists (EA) and recreational cyclists (RA). Participants performed a step-incremental cycling test to exhaustion. Ventilatory thresholds (VT$_1$ and VT$_2$) were determined using gas-exchange variables. NIRS sensor was placed on the vastus lateralis muscle to identify breakpoints corresponding to ventilatory thresholds. No significant differences were observed between NIRS-derived thresholds, compared to VT$_1$ and VT$_2$ (F = 1.04–1.33, p= 0.26–0.36). Moderate to strong correlations were found between NIRS-derived thresholds and ventilatory thresholds (r = 0.65–0.9, p< 0.01). A moderate correlation was found between maximal oxygen uptake and minimal tissue saturation index (TSI) value during the test (r =−0.411, p= 0.037). EA group showed tendency towards lower minimal TSI values compared to RA group (MD = 5.46% TSI, p= 0.081). NIRS is a feasible tool for non-invasive assessment of ventilatory thresholds during incremental exercise. TSI, in particular, showed lower variability compared to other NIRS-derived parameters, and may therefore be more suitable for practical applications in sport science. Highly trained athletes demonstrated distinct physiological responses compared to recreational athletes, suggesting enhanced peripheral oxygen extraction. sport NIRS ventilatory threshold cycling gas-exchange incremental test šport kolesarstvo NIRS prag ventilacije izmenjava plinov inkrementalni test true false true Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik Članek v reviji 2026-03-26 14:06:53 2026-03-26 14:06:54 2026-03-27 04:31:08 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2025 0 0 11 str. art. 33349 Vol. 15 2025 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 796.01 2045-2322 10.1038/s41598-025-14920-1 252983043 s41598-025-14920-1.pdf s41598-025-14920-1.pdf 1 A179F577AD250980479467244B4CD865 3176001c64ea266fbc9b05da8e4dcacb6e6845a200f75b617876db7ea021a25e 6da1287c-2915-11f1-b0ab-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=231383 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-14920-1 0 8924baee-2914-11f1-b0ab-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=231382 Fakulteta za šport 0 0 0