Skin temperature changes during muscular static stretching exercise

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of stretching exercise on skin temperature, flexibility, passive muscle stiffness, and pain during hamstring stretching in healthy young subjects. Thirty-one participants (n=31) were randomly divided into 2 groups: an experimental group (EG, n=15), which was submitted to hamstring stretching exercise for 180 sec, and the control group (n=16), which was not exercised. Skin temperature (TsK) was collected in subjects’ posterior thigh using a thermographic camera at 7 time points with intervals of 30 sec each: T0 (rest), T30, T60, T90, T120, T150, and T180. In addition, the knee range of motion, passive stiffness and muscle soreness (visual analogue scale) were recorded during the stretching procedure at the same times. The EG presented a small but progressive increase in TsK (30.8°C±0.6°C to 31.1°C±0.6°C, P<0.01), with an increased range of motion (P<0.01) and muscle soreness levels (P<0.01) during the gradual hamstring stretching protocol. Additionally, there was an increment of passive stiffness (P<0.01) that was partially reversed toward the end of the stretching period. This research presents evidence that constant, passive and progressive stretching of the hamstrings progressively increased the local TsK by about 0.3°C after 180 sec of stretching. These findings may help to understand the effects of repeated stress on the muscle-tendon unit and the role of muscle stretching in warm-up protocols and rehabilitation.

Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation on Hamstring Flexibility in Healthy Adults

“…Studies have reported that adults with a sedentary lifestyle have less hamstring flexibility (De Oliveira et al, 2018). Cho et al (2017) observed a significant relationship between physical activity level and hamstring flexibility.…”

“…Different types of stretching exercises can be used to increase hamstring flexibility (De Oliveira et al, 2018). In their study comparing the effectiveness of active and passive hamstring stretching exercises, Meroni et al (2010) reported that active stretching is more efficient in terms of time use and requires less compliance in terms of performing the exercises.…”

“…Adequate extensibility of the hamstring muscle is known to be an important factor in the efficiency and quality of basic activities such as walking and running. Physical inactivity leads to a decrease in muscle-tendon flexibility, especially in the hamstring muscles (De Oliveira et al, 2018).…”

High-impact Routines to Ameliorate Trunk and Lower Limbs Flexibility in Women

“…A broad literature entails a multitude of strategies and stretching protocols to obtain specific advantages in flexibility [9,10,46,47]. Nevertheless, only a few studies have included cryo-exposures protocols to assess possible gains in ROM and proprioception acuity [48,49].…”

Does the type of foam roller influence the recovery rate, thermal response and DOMS prevention?

“…Lactate measurement can be performed immediately following or even during exercise because it does not require complex laboratory procedures [22]. Thermal imaging allows for a psychologically comfortable evaluation of post-exercise recovery without substantial financial outlays [23].…”