Thermography Study

Circulation Response: Rest vs. Traditional Hand Exercise vs. Full ROM Handmaster Plus Exercise

Grip Only Hand Exercise vs Handmaster Plus

October 12, 2017 (Langley, BC Canada) – A series of thermography images were taken using Meditherm Thermography following: 1) rest, 2) hand exercise using traditional grip training items (Eggserciser, Gripmaster – exercise for one minute and then rest for one minute at which point image is taken), and 3) hand exercise using Handmaster Plus (exercise for one minute and then rest for one minute at which point image is taken).

The intent of the experiment was to determine the different reaction of the body’s circulation response to two different approaches to hand exercise, and to then compare the responses to the pattern of rest. Theoretically, a full range of motion resistance exercise would stimulate a more thorough circulation response from the body. This investigation could open the door for more attention to the exercising of the hands in health, fitness, and rehabilitation. Improved circulation can be associated with better delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the cells, tissues, and structures, as well as better removal of waste and toxins away from these sites.

The findings are dramatic when comparing rest to grip-only to full range of motion (ROM) hand exercise. Note the white (hottest) signal and the red (second hottest) signal extending well into the hands on the final image (red lines and arrows) compared to into the forearm and some wrist area (blue lines and arrows) in the grip-only signal. At rest, the red and white signals are only present at the proximal forearm (green lines and arrows). Grip-only exercise appears to improve the circulation somewhat, but full ROM hand exercise improves the circulation dramatically.

Further study is needed to learn the complete applications of this result. Hand exercise may be a vital tool not only for fitness but also for better health. Better circulation will usually mean better wellness, performance and rehabilitation outcomes. The results also may be extrapolated to mean better venous and lymphatic drainage away from the tissues and structures of the upper extremity, considering that muscle contraction is a prime mover of venous and lymph fluid through and out of the body. As well, because the upper extremity is anatomically very close to the main lymphatic ducts of the body, better upper extremity circulation should mean more efficient stimulation of the right and left lymphatic ducts, the same ducts that deliver lymph fluid out of the brain and body back into the blood for excretion. Toxin and by-product drainage ‘away’ and out of the body is becoming an application of interest in many health and disease protocol applications.

These current images may be the start of a new health compliment using full ROM hand exercise.

Further more extensive thermography study is required whereby more sensitive thermography readings can be attained to better portray the difference in temperature proximally at the forearms compared to distally at the finger tips.