Strength and Skin Temperature Assessment: Comparing Active and Geriatric Populations

Carolina Magalhaes, Pedro Contente, Ricardo Vardasca, Paulo Abreu, Joaquim Mendes, Maria Teresa Restivo

The age-related consequence of loss of skeletal muscle strength can be evaluated by handgrip force (HGF) tests. The assessment of this parameter is performed with dynamometers and it is frequently used as a functional indicator of different pathologies. During gripping exercises, physiological alterations occur that can be quantified with infrared thermography (IRT), adding information to an individual’s health status assessment. This work focus on the use of HGF and IRT measurements to evaluate differences among populations of active and institutionalized individuals, and on the identification of correlations between thermal parameters and HGF measurements. The study’s population included 30 active adults and 32 institutionalized individuals. Each performed an established handgrip exercise, mechanically stimulating forearm muscles. IRT images of this body region were recorded during the entire experiment. Three regions of interest (ROIs) were established for thermal image analysis, encompassing the digital flexor muscle region and the wrist ulnar and radial artery zone. Differences between populations were verified for the collected data, showing higher HGF measurements (Maximum force, Average force and Accumulated handgrip work) and elevated skin average temperatures for active adults, when compared to institutionalized participants. Strong correlations between HGF measurements and thermal parameters were also encountered, suggesting its relevance for future research. Thus, the results demonstrate the importance of pairing different types of technologies to increase the range of information and confidence in the results for possible medical applications. Some usages may include the diagnosis, prediction and treatment monitoring of musculoskeletal pathologies, as rheumatoid arthritis, tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

https://dx.doi.org/10.31873/IJEAS.6.5.2019.11