Thermographic response to acute muscle fatigue and delayed onset soreness (DOMS) following a protocol until exhaustion with concentric exercises in the triceps suralis

Abstract

Infrared thermography (IRT) is projected as an innovative and very promising tool for the observation of muscle response to fatigue. The aim of this study was to observe the skin temperature (Tsk) by thermography about acute muscle fatigue and delayed soreness (DOMS) following a exercise protocol until exhaustion in the triceps suralis. An open longitudinal descriptive observational study of the posterior leg region was performed in 73 healthy subjects. Data on age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and triceps suralis thermography pre, post and 24 h after maximum muscle fatigue physical exercise, as well as pressure-pain threshold (PPT) and pain sensation by Analogic visual scale (VAS scale) were recruited. Results showed significant difference in skin temperature over time (p= <0.001; η2p= 0.272), side (p= 0.021; η2p= 0.072) and a time x side interaction (p= 0.011; η2p= 0.061), as well as in PPT over time (p= <0.001; η 2 p= 0.328) and in the interaction between time and sex (p= 0.050; η 2 p= 0.041). and Vas scale over time (p= <0.001; η 2 p= 0.831). According to the results obtained, this technique could be a reliable method to evaluate DOMS. Exploring the integration of thermography with other modalities.