At ThermoHuman, we are committed to advancing scientific knowledge in the field of sports performance. That’s why we’re proud to share one of the latest articles developed in collaboration with Sportsmith, one of the most respected educational platforms in our sector.

Titled “Infrared thermography for load management, rehab, and return to play”, the article—authored by Kevin Kikugawa—offers an in-depth perspective on how infrared thermography supports practitioners in making more objective, individualized decisions in three key areas:

• Injury prevention
• Rehabilitation processes
• Safe and effective return to play

The focus lies on internal load monitoring, an area often approached through subjective methods such as wellness questionnaires or perceived exertion scores. Thermography, in contrast, provides an objective, non-invasive and visual tool that identifies thermal asymmetries, local inflammation, and underlying muscular or fascial dysfunctions—often before clinical symptoms appear.

Several real-world cases are presented throughout the article: from a football player experiencing rhabdomyolysis, to an undiagnosed meniscal tear, and asymmetries in athletes dealing with chronic ankle instability or returning from ACL surgery. These cases illustrate the practical value of thermography as an ongoing evaluation tool in fast-paced, high-performance environments.

The article also highlights a particularly valuable application: personalized recovery strategies. By interpreting systemic temperature trends, practitioners can better understand autonomic nervous system balance, adapting recovery methods such as cryotherapy, thermotherapy, or passive rest based on individual physiological states.

This project was made possible through our collaboration with Sportsmith and the expertise of professionals like Kevin Kikugawa, to whom we extend our appreciation.

You can read the full article here