Relationship between cortical oxygenation in the motor area and cardiovascular responses during preparation for and after starting handgrip exercise: an NIRS study

Abstract

  The present study investigated the relationship between the activation in the motor cortex (MCx) and the cardiovascular responses during preparation for and after starting right handgrip exercise. We measured levels of oxygenated hemoglobin (oxyHb), deoxygenated hemoglobin (deoxyHb) and total hemoglobin (totalHb) in the MCx by near-infrared spectroscopy and simultaneously recorded heart rate (HR) and mean arterial blood pressure. We studied three experiment sessions and obtained any suggestions; (1) During the preparation period for exercise, the increases in HR and muscle flow rate were coupled with the increase in the MCx activation.(2) The differential values of the oxyHb concentration in the MCx were positively correlated with HR changes during the preparation period for exercise.(3) The MCx activities and sensory cortex responses after starting handgrip exercise are not affected by MCx activation or the increase in HR related to central command that develops during preparation for exercise.