Changes in electromyographic signals and skin temperature during standardised effort in volleyball players

The state of athletes' muscles is not constant, but it differs depending on the stage of sports training, which is associated with different degrees of muscle fatigue. There is thus a need to find a non-invasive and simple method to assess muscle fatigue. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between muscle fatigue due to physical effort and changes in skin temperature, measured using a thermographic camera.

The study involved 12 volleyball players. The participants were to maintain 70% of peak torque in the joint for as long as possible. We measured peak torque and the time of maintaining 70% of its value (tlim) as well as continuously recording skin temperature and electromyographic (EMG) signals in the region of the belly of the rectus femoris. The measurements were taken twice: before and after a series of squats.

The study found that tlim decreased when isometric contraction was per- formed after physical effort. Pre- and post-exercise skin temperature did not differ significantly, however, the increase rates of tempera- ture and the root mean square (RMS) of the EMG signals grew significantly. In most of the players, skin temperature also correlated with the RMS, median frequency (MDF), and mean frequency (MF) of the EMG signals.

Measuring the time of maintaining submaximal torque during isometric contraction and the slope coefficient for the increase in temperature recorded using a thermographic camera can be a simple, cost-effective, and non-invasive method of assessing fatigue and efficiency decreases in the muscles in volley- ball players.