Research Projects
Menstrual cycle and infrared thermography in female soccer players
In cooperation with the women’s team of the Chemnitzer FC, this study investigates how the menstrual cycle influences skin surface temperatures and maximal strength of the lower extremities. The aim is to capture the effects of the menstrual cycle and its hormonal fluctuations across different cycle phases. Additionally, the impact of the fitness level is analyzed by comparing the measurements of active female soccer players with those of a sedentary control group.
Infrared thermography is used to quantify skin surface temperatures—a method gaining increasing importance in injury prevention and the detection of overuse. As a non-invasive measurement technique, it utilizes the body’s emitted thermal radiation to visualize temperature distributions and can provide valuable diagnostic information about tissue lesions. Maximal strength is analyzed using a custom-built force measurement cell developed at the institute. The menstrual cycle phase on the respective measurement days is recorded using a cycle-tracking app and supplementary questionnaires.
In addition to the well-known thermal influence of the menstrual cycle on basal body temperature, examining skin surface temperature is of particular relevance in sports science. This ongoing study aims to determine whether infrared thermography can also be used with female athletes to quantify injuries and overuse. The study makes an important contribution to a better understanding of female physiology. The first results will be presented at the 2025 Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics (ISB) in Stockholm.
Study procedures of the intervention and control group starting from recruitment, own illustration modified with BioRender.com