Figure 2. Peak values of the main variables related to O₂ delivery and O₂ utilization.

Mean ± SD peak values of NIRS‐obtained vastus lateralis muscle deoxygenation (∆[deoxy(Hb + Mb)]). Left: variable estimating fractional O₂ extraction. Data are expressed as a percentage of values obtained during a transient limb ischaemia at the end of the test. Middle: mean ± SD values of peak arterial flow (expressed in L min⁻¹ and in mL min⁻¹ kg⁻¹ of thigh muscle mass) are shown. Right: mean ± SD values of peak pulmonary ${\dot{V}}_{{\mathrm{O}}_2}$ (expressed in L min⁻¹ and in mL min⁻¹ kg⁻¹ of thigh muscle mass) are shown. Data are presented for BDC, N‐BR, H‐BR and H‐AMB. For further details, see text. ^* P < 0.05 vs. BDC.