RELAÇÃO ENTRE TERMOGRAFIA INFRAVERMELHA E DESEMPENHO DE SALTOS VERTICAIS DE ATLETAS DE FUTEBOL CATEGORIA SUB-20

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate and compare skin thermal asymmetry and vertical jump performance in under-20 soccer players, considering the bilateral difference in jump height and the variation in skin temperature of the lower limbs. Materials and Methods: This is an experimental, comparative study among trained athletes, carried out in the under-20 category of a soccer club in the city of São Luís - MA, between June/2023 and October/2024, composed of young male participants aged between 18 and 20 years. A group of trained athletes was defined to participate in the study. All subjects formalized their participation in this research by signing a Free and Informed Consent Form. Results: A total of 27 subjects participated (19.19 ± 0.79 years; weight 72.84 ± 10.50 kg; height 1.80 ± 0.08 m; BMI 22.37 ± 1.78 kg/m2) who belonged to the under-20 category of a football club from Maranhão. No significant differences were found in the dynamic and performance variables in the right and left unilateral SCM (SCM-UL), SA, and SCM of the 27 evaluated (SCM-UL right 20.53±3.5 and left 20.14±3.77). No significant difference was found between unilateral jump heights when comparing dominant and non-dominant sides. No significant difference was found when comparing the height of the athletes' squat jumps and countermovement jumps. The skin temperatures of the lower limbs analyzed did not present significant differences between the subjects. Conclusion: Young soccer players have no significant lower limb asymmetry when we use vertical jump performance. In addition, the thermography values also did not present significant differences in the mean and maximum skin temperature values of the lower limbs of all athletes.