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NIRS: Theoretical Background and Practical Aspects

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Functional Neuroimaging in Exercise and Sport Sciences

Abstract

In this chapter, an introduction to near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) as a tool for brain functional monitoring and imaging is presented. The basic physical principles are outlined for the measurement of physiological parameters like cortical haemoglobin oxygenation and blood flow. The advantages of spatially resolved as well as time- and frequency-domain techniques are discussed and compared with the modified Lambert–Beer approach which is used in most topographic imaging systems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. RheinAhrCampus, University of Applied Sciences Koblenz, Südallee 2, 53424, Remagen, Germany

    Matthias Kohl-Bareis

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  1. Matthias Kohl-Bareis
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Correspondence to Matthias Kohl-Bareis .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. FE Klinische Funktionelle Neurobildgebun, Experimentelle Radiologie, Radiologische Universitätsklinik Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, Bonn, 53105, Germany

    Henning Boecker

  2. , Department of Kinesiology and Community, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champai, S. Goodwin Ave. 906, Urbana, 61801, USA

    Charles H. Hillman

  3. FE Klinische Funktionelle Neurobildgebun, Experimentelle Radiologie, Radiologische Universitätsklinik, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, Bonn, 53105, Germany

    Lukas Scheef

  4. Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln, Institut für Bewegungs- und Neurowissens, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, Köln, 50933, Germany

    Heiko K. Strüder

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Kohl-Bareis, M. (2012). NIRS: Theoretical Background and Practical Aspects. In: Boecker, H., Hillman, C., Scheef, L., Strüder, H. (eds) Functional Neuroimaging in Exercise and Sport Sciences. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3293-7_10

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