The use of thermal infrared imaging to assess the efficacy of a therapeutic exercise program in individuals with diabetes.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Exercise
is of great value for individuals with diabetes in helping to control
their hemoglobin A1c levels and in increasing their insulin sensitivity.
Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a common problem in healthy
individuals and in people who have diabetes. People with diabetes are
also faced with metabolic and endothelial impairments, which could make
DOMS even worse. But because they usually have neuropathies, they may
not feel this soreness appropriately, leading to premature return to
exercise and causing further injuries.
RESEARCH DESIGN:
One
hundred eighteen subjects participated in this study and were divided
into four groups. Two groups (healthy and diabetes) performed a series
of abdominal exercises, and the other two groups (healthy and diabetes)
performed a series of arm exercises to induce DOMS. Skin temperature
above the muscle was assessed using a thermal infrared camera, and
perceived soreness of the exercised muscle was assessed using a 100-mm
visual analog scale. Serum myoglobin concentrations were also measured.
RESULTS:
There
was a significant increase in skin temperature 24 h post-exercise for
all four exercise groups (P<0.05), where the combined average
increase in skin temperature for all four groups was approximately
0.65°C from baseline. Also, 24 h post-exercise, all four groups were
significantly sorer than they were at baseline (P<0.05). Serum
myoglobin levels were also significantly higher on day 3 compared with
day 1 (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION:
Infrared
thermal imaging may be a valuable technique of seeing which muscles are
sore hours or even days after the exercise is over. Thus, thermal
imaging would be an efficient and painless way of looking at DOMS in
both healthy individuals and individuals who have diabetes, even if they
are facing neurological problems.
No comments:
Post a Comment