Thermographic evaluation of muscle activity after front crawl swimming in young men

The information about the workload on individual muscles in the course of a specific physical activity is essential for targeted prevention, early diagnosis and suitable therapy concerning their overloading and injury. The aim of this study is to evaluate temperature changes in particular skin areas in the course of front crawl swimming, caused by muscle work.

Thermograms were taken of 13 students of Defense University immediately and 15 minutes after swimming 1,000 m focused on 20 regions of the skin over the selected agonists and synergists in upper extremities and body. FLUKE TiR infrared hand camera was used.

The results indicated the significant increase in the relative temperatures in the areas of agonists of swimmers' movement - triceps brachii: from 0.952 to 0.997 of normalized units (nu) on the right and from 0.955 to 0.986 nu on the left. At the same time, the temperature of the muscles participating in lifting the arms above the water surface and stretching them forward - deltoids - increased as well (rear part: from 1.002 to 1.015 nu on the right and from 1.002 to 1.014 nu on the left, sides: from 1.008 to 1.023 nu on the right and from 1.011 to 1.023 nu on the left).

In conclusion, the order of the other agonists is as follows: biceps brachii, pectoralis major muscle, and latissimus dorsi. This study provides the options for objective assessment of workload on specific muscles or muscle groups during front crawl swimming.