Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39565518›Full record

SynthesisSports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)2025

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy as a Tool to Characterize Exercise and Physical Activity: A Systematic Review.

Pedro Afonso Valente, Sandra I Mota, Ana Teixeira, Elisabete Ferreiro, Hugo Sarmento, Inês Cipriano, João R Campos, Luís Rama, Paulo J Oliveira

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Pedro Afonso ValenteCNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0003-4204-7870
Sandra I MotaCNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0001-9623-5012
Ana TeixeiraUniversity of Coimbra, Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Coimbra, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0003-1498-949X
Elisabete FerreiroCNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0002-1200-4602
Hugo SarmentoUniversity of Coimbra, Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Coimbra, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0001-8681-0642
Inês CiprianoUniversity of Coimbra, Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Coimbra, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0002-2340-3991
João R CamposUniversity of Coimbra, Centre for Informatics and Systems of the University of Coimbra, Department of Informatics Engineering, Coimbra, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0002-4623-764X
Luís RamaUniversity of Coimbra, Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Coimbra, Portugal. luisrama@fcdef.uc.pt.ORCID 0000-0002-9619-8618
Paulo J OliveiraCIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. pauloliv@cnc.uc.pt.ORCID 0000-0002-0938-152X

Funding

COMPETE 2020 LA/P/0058/2020COMPETE 2020 UIDB/04539/2020COMPETE 2020 UIDP/04539/2020
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundOver the past few decades, the scientific community has recognized the impact of physical activity on health and performance. In parallel, researchers have been actively exploring novel methodologies to analyze the physiological and metabolic responses to exercise. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has emerged as a powerful tool in this effort, offering the potential to provide unique insights into exercise-related changes at the molecular level.

objectiveThe primary goal of this systematic review is to confirm the viability of utilizing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for the analysis of the biochemical changes associated with physical exercise and its potential applications.

methodsThis systematic review adhered to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines and examined studies employing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to analyze exercise and physical activity, focusing on a biological sample collection and spectral analysis. Four databases (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and Scopus) were searched, and inclusion criteria encompassed original English-language studies involving human participants aged 18-50 years, a biological sample collection (urine, saliva, and blood), and the use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The studies were analyzed considering the type of exercise or sport that was investigated, and also the type of spectral analysis conducted.

resultsThe review encompassed 15 studies that demonstrated the versatility of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in assessing various aspects of exercise, including metabolism, cardiovascular responses, and muscular fatigue. The largest study evaluated 57 athletes from several different sports. On average, almost all the studies were performed with around 20 athletes. Notably, the technique's holistic approach allows for a comprehensive analysis of the complex network of metabolites and proteins within the human body. Data analysis methodologies, particularly when coupled with machine learning, show great potential for advancing the field of sports science.

conclusionsFourier transform infrared spectroscopy emerges as a promising tool for monitoring and enhancing the performance of high-level athletes, preventing overtraining or even over-reaching, and assessing metabolism. Its accuracy, efficiency, and affordability also make it a candidate for broader applications in assessing the health and fitness of the general population. Future research should explore its applicability across diverse exercise modalities and demographic groups, aiming to prescribe exercise plans that consider a multitude of parameters for larger, more intricate exercise cohorts. CLINICAL

trial registrationThe study protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under the ID number CRD42023441965.

Indexed as

ExerciseHumansSpectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

Identifiers

PMID39565518
PMCPMC11946944

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.