Microcirculation study to determine the anaerobic threshold during exercise

We read with interest the recent paper suggesting that transcutaneous oxygen pressure (tcPO2) can be used in order to determine the anaerobic threshold in athletes during running ( Ratnovsky et al., 2019 Ratnovsky A. Yanovichj R. Kesner D. Ketko I. Schermann H. Heled Y. Ovadia-Blechman Z. The relation between central variables, electromyography signals and peripheral microcirculation during intensive treadmill exercise. Clin. Biomech. 2019; 67: 52-60 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (4) Google Scholar ). We completely agree with the authors that the transcutaneous technique is a potentially interesting parameter to study exercise adaptation in athletes. In this perspective, the present results reinforce the results observed in 79 athletes using transcutaneous carbon dioxide probes during incremental heavy load exercise ( Abraham et al., 1999 Abraham P. Carter D. Bickert S. Desvaux B. Saumet J.L. Transcutaneous carbon dioxide threshold during exercise. J. Sports Med. Phys. Fitness. 1999; 39: 93-100 PubMed Google Scholar ). Nevertheless, there are few points about the microvascular results that might require clarification in the present study.