Purpose: The muscle oxygen uptake (mVO2) kinetics following exercise, measured by near-infrared spectroscopy, has been used as a functional evaluation of muscle oxidative metabolism. This study aimed to determine the mVO2 off-kinetics and verify the relationship of the recovery rate of mVO2 (k) with time-trial performance and different aerobic parameters in trained rowers. Methods: Eleven male rowers (age: 20 ± 3 years; VO2max: 4.28 ± 0.35 L·min-1) used a rowing ergometer to perform (I) an incremental test to determine the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and peak power output (Ppeak); (II) several visits to determine maximal lactate steady state (MLSS); and (III) a 2000-m rowing ergometer performance test. Also, one test to determine mVO2 off-kinetics of the vastus lateralis muscle using a repeated arterial occlusions protocol. Results: The mVO2 generated a good monoexponential fit (R2 = 0.960 ± 0.030; SEE = 0.041 ± 0.018%.s-1). The k of mVO2 (2.06 ± 0.58 min-1) was associated with relative VO2max (r = 0.79), power output at MLSS (r = 0.76), and Ppeak (r = 0.83); however, it was not related with 2000-m rowing performance (r = -0.38 to 0.52; p > .152). Conclusion: These findings suggest that although not associated with rowing performance, the mVO2 off-kinetics determined after a submaximal isometric knee extension may be a practical and less-exhaustive approach than invasive responses and incremental tests to assess the muscle oxidative metabolism during a training program. Highlights 1) The present study showed that the NIRS-derived mVO2 off-kinetics from the vastus lateralis can be used as a functional tool of skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism in rowers. 2) The results demonstrated that the recovery rate of mVO2 was well correlated with important aerobic parameters such as VO2max, maximal lactate steady state, and peak power output during an incremental test.
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