Development and characterization of an ergometer to study the bioenergetics of the human quadriceps muscle by 31P NMR spectroscopy inside a standard MR scanner.

A description is given of an ergometer made of nonmagnetic materials which fits into a standard whole body MR magnet. T2-weighted images show that exercise is highly specific for quadriceps muscles. The ergometer permits the noninvasive study of T2-related changes in the proton images of the leg as well as changes occurring in muscle bioenergetics during exercise and recovery.