Infrared Thermography to Assess the Upper Body Temperature of a Person with Poland Syndrome Type II After a Training Plan

Poland syndrome is a medical condition known by partial or complete absence of the pectoralis muscle. Since this condition has a low prevalence in the society, its assessment and examination remain as an active research area. The aim of this study was to assess the thermal behavior of the pectoralis major, deltoid, trapezius, and latissimus dorsi after an upper body strength training plan in a person with Poland Syndrome type II. This study was conducted in two patients, a participant with Poland Syndrome type II and a clinically healthy participant. A four-week training plan was developed and implemented. The focus was on the upper body, especially the chest and back. Thermographic images were taken weekly in the anterior and posterior upper body. Temperature differences in four regions of interest of the upper body (pectoralis major, deltoid, trapezius, and latissimus dorsi) were assessed. After the analysis, the deltoid muscle of the participant with Poland syndrome showed a temperature behavior that differed from the rest of the regions. In addition, the temperature variation in the healthy person was higher. Temperature effects showed differences in the main muscles of the upper body over four weeks of training, which could be due to the presence of Poland Syndrome. According to results, the monitoring of muscle activation by infrared thermography may be a tool that allows early detection of muscle disorders; however, it is necessary to continue the research, considering the possibility of expanding the sample.