Brain blood flow and oxygen saturation as assessed by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in sports performance, health and disease

Summary

Functional Near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive and portable ambulatory technique to assess brain oxygenation in athletic endeavors, health and disease. This cluster of projects will use fNIRS to quantify the changes to cerebral oxygenation during acute exercise, during and after respiratory interventions and following exercise training.

Supervisor

Professor Glen Davis.

Research location

Exercise, Health and Performance Research Group

Synopsis

The Clinical Exercise and Rehabilitation Unit comprising a multi-disciplinary research team are conducting a cluster of research projects available to goal-seeking and talented postgraduate students into using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in health and disease. These non-invasive measurements can be combined with other techniques (listed below) and combined with sports activities exercise assessments and exercise training in different populations. 

A specific project for which we are seeking a talented postgraduate student to is measure changes of fNIRS variables following 10 weeks of heart rate variability (HRV) -controlled breathing training, wherein changes of the autonomic nervous system modulation will be assessed in patients with spinal cord injury. Comprehensive neurophysiological and psychological assessments (including fNIRS) will occur at baseline, during treatment, immediate post-treatment, and 6 and 12-months post-treatment.  The project is described in more detail at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-021-02355-w. This project is co-located at the Kolling Institute and Royal North Shore Hospital

There are other projects and applications available for use of fNIRS in health and disease

This project is open to students with health sciences, medical, biochemistry or psychology backgrounds, but previous experience using neurophysiological assessments and/or technologies would be an asset

Additional information

Techniques used:

·        Exercise Metabolic Cart

·        Treadmills and other exercise devices

·        Cardiac Bioimpedance

·        Muscle Near-infrared Spectroscopy (mNIRS)

·        Brain Functional Near-infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS)

·        Motion Analysis System

·        Portapres Ambulatory Blood Pressure Analyzer

Scholarships are not available from the research team, however, may be applied for. 

Want to find out more?

Opportunity ID

The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is 3006

Other opportunities with Professor Glen Davis