Exploring the Use of Thermography for Monitoring Physiological Responses to Training in Division‐I Collegiate Female Soccer Players

• DOI: 10.1002/jbio.70016
• Publication Date: 2025-03-28T13:36:34Z
• Authors: Casey J. Metoyer; Jonathon R. Lever; Valerie Smith‐Hale; Cloe Klaus; Cara Ocobock; Alan Huebner; Megan McGinty; Jonathan D. Hauen...; John P. Wagle

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the use of thermography as a non‐invasive tool to monitor physiological responses to mechanical workload in Division‐I female soccer players. A total of 29 student‐athletes (age: 19.8 ± 1.1 years) participated, with thermographic imaging conducted throughout training across the competitive season. A total of 8106 observations were analyzed, revealing a weak but significant negative correlation between total player load (TPL) and changes in body region temperature (∆t) (βTPL = −0.00047; p < 0.0001). For every one unit increase in TPL, skin temperature decreased by 0.00047°C on average. Similar patterns were observed in high‐minute players (βTPL = −0.0046; p < 0.0001) and when excluding goalkeepers (βTPL = −0.00027, p < 0.001). Interestingly, cooler temperatures were linked to higher workloads in field players, contrasting with previous research. These findings suggest thermography may reflect physiological responses to external workload, with position‐specific demands requiring tailored metrics for accurate monitoring.