Standardized Protocol For Monitoring Muscle Fatigue and Biomechanics In Amateur Cyclists Using Infrared Thermography

The use of stationary bikes has increased significantly, making physical activity more accessible to the general population. However, the lack of precise, non-invasive monitoring during training sessions can mask muscle imbalances and inefficient biomechanical patterns. These factors, subclinical in their initial stages, can lead to a high incidence of musculoskeletal injuries. Currently, exercise evaluation relies on the subjective perception of effort or conventional performance metrics, creating a critical gap in the early detection of physiological issues before they progress to chronic conditions. Given the crucial role of exercise in public health, it is imperative to implement sustainable evaluation strategies applicable to various fitness levels. In this context, infrared thermography (IRT) emerges as a promising alternative due to its ability to quantify skin surface temperature, a direct indicator of metabolic activity, thermoregulation, and blood flow. This project establishes a standardized methodological protocol using IRT to monitor the physiological response during cycling sessions in a non-athletic population. The application of this protocol revealed that standardized IRT can effectively detect subclinical thermal asymmetries and localized "hotspots" in joints (e.g., the knee at 32.8 °C) that are otherwise undetectable through subjective effort perception (Borg scale) or pedaling cadence monitoring. By systematically controlling environmental and subject-related variables, this research analyzes surface temperature distribution in the lower body to evaluate biomechanics and muscle fatigue. Specifically, the protocol facilitates the correlation between thermal patterns, fatigue levels, and pedaling cadence. This approach not only supports technological innovation in preventive medicine and public health but also lays the groundwork for an early detection tool capable of mitigating injury risks and optimizing the well-being of the population engaged in this activity.