The use of thermal imaging for monitoring the training progress of professional male sweep rowers

Abstract

This study assesses the thermal profile of the skin in highly trained rowers and investigates the relationship between resting skin temperature (Ts) and the muscle peak torque (PT) measured in statics at the beginning (autumn) and the end (spring) of the preparatory period. Ten professional male sweep rowers, members of the Polish national rowing team, were investigated. A thermal imaging camera was used to analyze the Ts. The PT of the muscles involved in the rowing cycle were measured isometrically. No significant temperature asymmetries were found, except in front of arms after exercise in the spring (p = 0.0228). In contrast, the PT test in the autumn confirmed the significant asymmetry of the knee joint extensors (p = 0.0192). In spring compared to autumn, Ts in many areas of the body were slightly higher, as was PT of underlying muscles. Significant correlations between resting Ts and PT of the underlying muscles were found. Thermal imaging makes it possible to observe changes in skin temperature and symmetry before and after exercise. At this stage, it does not appear to be a method that, without supporting of other methods such as those assessing muscle function, will allow monitoring of training progress.

Figure 1

Skin surface temperature of the front side of the body. (a) contralateral forearm, (b) ipsilateral forearm, (c) contralateral arm, (d) ipsilateral arm, (e) contralateral side of the chest, (f) ipsilateral side of the chest, (g) contralateral thigh, (h) ipsilateral thigh, (i) contralateral shank, (j) ipsilateral shank. Data are presented as means. ^***p ≤ 0.001 significant differences between measurements before and after exercise test in autumn on the contralateral side of the body. ^###p ≤ 0.001 significant differences between measurements before and 15 min after exercise test in autumn on the contralateral side of the body. ^##p ≤ 0.01 significant differences between measurements before and 15 min after exercise test in autumn on the contralateral side of the body. ^#p < 0.5 significant differences between measurements before and 15 min after exercise test in autumn on the contralateral side of the body. ^&&&p ≤ 0.001 significant differences between measurements before and after exercise test in spring on the contralateral side of the body. ^&&p ≤ 0.01 significant differences between measurements before and after exercise test in spring on the contralateral side of the body. ^$$$p ≤ 0.001 significant differences between measurements before and 15 min after exercise test in spring on the contralateral side of the body. ^$$p ≤ 0.01 significant differences between measurements before and 15 min after exercise test in spring on the contralateral side of the body. ^▲▲▲p ≤ 0.001 significant differences between measurements before and after exercise test in autumn on the ipsilateral side. ^✠✠✠p ≤ 0.001 significant differences between measurements before and 15 min after exercise test in autumn on the ipsilateral side of the body. ^■■■p ≤ 0.01 significant differences between measurements before and after exercise test in Spring on the ipsilateral side of the body. ^♦♦♦p ≤ 0.01 significant differences between measurements before and 15 min after exercise test in spring on the ipsilateral side of the body.

Figure 2

Skin surface temperature of the back side of the body. (a) contralateral forearm, (b) ipsilateral forearm, (c) contralateral arm, (d) ipsilateral arm, (e) contralateral side of the chest, (f) ipsilateral side of the chest, (g) contralateral thigh, (h) ipsilateral thigh, (i) contralateral shank, (j) ipsilateral shank. Data are presented as means. ^***p ≤ 0.001 significant differences between measurements before and after exercise test in autumn on the contralateral side. ^###p ≤ 0.001 significant differences between measurements before and 15 min after exercise test in autumn on the contralateral side of the body. ^&&&p ≤ 0.001 significant differences between measurements before and after exercise test in spring on the contralateral side of the body. ^&&p ≤ 0.01 significant differences between measurements before and after exercise test in spring on the contralateral side of the body. ^$$p ≤ 0.01 significant differences between measurements before and 15 min after exercise test in spring on the contralateral side of the body. ^▲▲▲p ≤ 0.001 significant differences between measurements before and after exercise test in autumn on the ipsilateral side. ^✠✠✠p ≤ 0.001 significant differences between measurements before and 15 min after exercise test in autumn on the ipsilateral side of the body. ^■■■p ≤ 0.001 significant differences between measurements before and after exercise test in spring on the ipsilateral side of the body. ^■■p ≤ 0.01 significant differences between measurements before and after exercise test in spring on the ipsilateral side of the body. ^♦♦p ≤ 0.01 significant differences between measurements before and 15 min after exercise test in spring on the ipsilateral side of the body. ^♦p ≤ 0.05 significant differences between measurements before and 15 min after exercise test in spring on the ipsilateral side of the body.

Figure 3

Correlations between the peak torques of selected muscles and the resting skin temperature measurement over these muscle. Spearman rank correlation test, p < 0:05 statistically significant value. EJT—CF: elbow joint torque—contralateral flexor. EJT—CE: elbow joint torque—contralateral extensor. HJT-CE: shank joint torque—contralateral extensor. HJT- IE: hip joint torque—ipsilateral extensor.

Figure 4

Regions of interest analyzed in each subject. A. Anterior side: Box1/Box2- (right/left chest), 5/6—(right/left arm), 7/8—(right/left forearm), 9/10—(right/left thigh), 11/12—(right/left shinbone); B. Posterior side: Box1/Box2—(right/left back), 5/6—(right/left arm), 7/8—(right/left forearm), 9/10—(right/left thigh), 11/12—(right/left calf).