Theodore F. Towse1, Jill M. Slade2,3, Jeffrey A. Ambrose1, Mark C. DeLano2, Ronald A. Meyer1,2
1Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; 2Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; 3Manipulative Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
Brief single contractions of muscle are followed by increases in blood flow and oxygenation, resulting in a post-contractile BOLD response. This study shows that the magnitude and time course of muscle post-contractile BOLD responses are quantitatively explained from changes in muscle blood volume and hemoglobin saturation measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Furthermore, using a simple one-compartment vascular model the NIRS and MRI changes can be accurately predicted from changes in muscle blood flow and oxygen consumption.