Is skin temperature associated with muscle recovery status following a single bout of leg press?

Objective. The measurement of skin temperature using infrared thermography has gained a lot of attention in sport and science since it might be related to the recovery process following high intensity, potentially damaging exercise. This study investigated the time course of the skin temperature response and the muscle recovery status following a resistance training session involving leg press exercise.Approach. Fourteen young male college students (19.9 ± 1.7 years, 176 ± 6 cm, 66.1 ± 7.6 kg, 21.1 ± 1.8 kg.m-2) performed one session involving 10 sets, of 10 repetition maximum each (RM), of unilateral leg press 45° exercise, performed to momentary muscle failure, with 2 min rest between sets. Perceived recovery, mean and maximum thigh skin temperatures, thigh muscle thickness, maximal isometric strength, muscle soreness, and horizontal jump performance were measured pre, 24, 48, and 72 h following exercise.Main results. The exercise protocol resulted in significant reduction in isometric strength, horizontal jump performance, and perceived recovery (p < 0.05). There was also a significant (p < 0.05) increase in muscle thickness and muscle soreness. With exception of jump performance, that recovered at 48 (p > 0.05), recovery parameters did not recover up to 72 h post-exercise (p > 0.05). Surprisingly, skin temperatures were not altered throughout the entire 72 h post-exercise period (p > 0.05). No significant positive correlation was found between skin temperatures and muscle thickness. Additionally, only one out of 16 correlation coefficients showed significant (r = -0.56,p = 0.036) inverse association between skin temperature and isometric strength.Significance. In conclusion, thigh skin temperature remains unaffected up to 72 h following a leg press exercise, and the time course response of thigh skin temperature was not associated with recovery status.