Thermal responses of the thighs of university handball players after a resistance training session using leg extension exercises

Abstract

Training with high-performance athletes often takes the musculoskeletal system to physiological limits, which can generate changes in metabolic processes with a direct impact on the production of body heat. Thermography is an important tool for monitoring such processes. Purpose: To analyze the skin temperature (TSK) reactions of the anterior part of thighs on Brazilian handball players after a resistance training session. Material & methods: Twelve male athletes (age: 20.9 ± 2.4 years; height 1.78 ± 0.05 m; Body Mass Index: 28.74 ± 8.1 kg/m2) were submitted to tests and retests of one repetition maximum (1RM) for the dominant and non-dominant sides in the leg extension exercise. After 48 hours of this test, the participants underwent a maximum resistance training session. Thermographic images were collected before, immediately after the training session, and after 10 and 15 minutes of rest. Passive recovery between sets was three minutes. Results: The significant differences in maximum temperatures between the dominant and non-dominant sides at all times of the study were less than 0.4ºC. There were changes to the average TSK on the dominant side (F = 5.249; p = 0.003) and non-dominant (F = 4.158; p = 0.011), both with significant reductions at the time of 15 minutes of rest when compared to the pre- and post-training sessions. There were changes in the minimum TSK on the dominant side (F = 4.790; p = 0.006) with significant reductions at 10 minutes and 15 minutes of rest when compared to the pre-training session. Conclusions: It was evidenced that the volume and intensity of the training have an important participation in the temperature behavior of the physically active areas, indicating great metabolic demand in short duration activities with high dynamic effort.