Temporal Skin Temperature as an Indicator of Cardiorespiratory Fitness Assessed with Selected Methods

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether there are associations between cardiovascular fitness (and aerobic capacity) and changes in temporal skin temperature during and after a single bout of high-intensity exercise. Twenty-three men with varying levels of physical activity (VO2max: 59.03 ± 11.19 (ml/kg/min), body mass 71.5 ± 10.4 (kg), body height 179 ± 8 (cm)) participated in the study. Each subject performed an incremental test and, after a 48-h interval, a 110%Pmax power test combined with an analysis of the thermal parameters, heart rate recovery and heart rate variability. Thermal radiation density from the body surface (temple) was measured using a Sonel KT384 thermal imaging camera immediately after warm-up (Tb), immediately after exercise (Te) and 120 sec after the end of exercise (Tr). The differences between measurements were then calculated. The correlation analysis between the thermal and cardiovascular function parameters during the recovery period showed strong positive associations between the Tr-Te difference and measures of cardiovascular fitness (50 < r < 69, p < 0.05). For example, the correlation coefficient between Tr-Te and VO2max reached 0.55 and between Tr-Te and Pmax reached 0.68. The results obtained indicate that the measurement of temporal temperature during and after an intense 3-min bout of exercise can be used to assess aerobic physical capacity and cardiovascular fitness.

Assessing aerobic physical efficiency through temple surface temperature measurements during light, heavy exercise, and recovery

“…In order to assess the efficiency of the circulatory system, measurements such as maximum/peak oxygen uptake (VO 2 max) 5 , heart rate recovery (HRR) 6 , exercise stroke volume (SV) 7 , sinus heart rate variability (HRV) 8 are used. Previous articles have described the correlation between VO 2 max and changes in body surface temperature recorded during high-intensity exercise and those recorded during the recovery after high-intensity exercise 9 , 10 . The correlation of thermal parameters with heart rate recovery (HRR) and heart rate variability (HRV) recovery was also described 10 .…”

“…Previous articles have described the correlation between VO 2 max and changes in body surface temperature recorded during high-intensity exercise and those recorded during the recovery after high-intensity exercise 9 , 10 . The correlation of thermal parameters with heart rate recovery (HRR) and heart rate variability (HRV) recovery was also described 10 . Available reasearch 9 , 10 indicates that body surface temperature measurement during exercise and recovery can be used to assess the efficiency of the circulatory system.…”

“…The correlation of thermal parameters with heart rate recovery (HRR) and heart rate variability (HRV) recovery was also described 10 . Available reasearch 9 , 10 indicates that body surface temperature measurement during exercise and recovery can be used to assess the efficiency of the circulatory system. There are two possible explanations for the above-described relationship between selected measures of cardiovascular fitness and the size of the thermal response to exercise.…”

“…At the same time, muscle 15 and skin 14 blood flow during exercise are conditioned by the stroke volume, which is one of the determinants of VO 2 max 15 . Moreover, efficiently removing thermal energy may alleviate physiological stress and thus affect HRR and HRV recovery 10 .…”

Biological Mechanisms Underlying Physical Fitness and Sports Performance: An Editorial

“…Two papers are on neuromuscular training programs (NMTs), training monotony (TM), and training strain (TS) in soccer players [ 2 , 3 ]; five articles provide innovative findings about testosterone and cortisol [ 4 , 5 ], gastrointestinal hormones [ 6 ], spirulina [ 7 ], and concentrations of erythroferrone (ERFE) [ 8 ]; another five papers analyze fitness and its association with other variables [ 7 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]; three papers examine body composition in elite female soccer players [ 2 ], adolescents [ 6 ], and obese women [ 7 ]; five articles examines the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) [ 7 , 10 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]; one paper examines the acute effects of different levels of hypoxia on maximal strength, muscular endurance, and cognitive function [ 16 ]; another article evaluates the efficiency of using vibrating exercise equipment (VEE) compared with using sham-VEE in women with CLBP (chronic low-back pain) [ 17 ]; one article compares the effects of different exercise modes on autonomic modulation in patients with T2D (type 2 diabetes mellitus) [ 14 ]; and another paper analyzes the changes in ABB (acid–base balance) in the capillaries of kickboxers [ 18 ]. Other studies evaluate: the effects of resistance training on oxidative stress and muscle damage in spinal cord-injured rats [ 19 ]; the effects of muscle training on core muscle performance in rhythmic gymnasts [ 20 ]; the physiological profiles of road cyclist in different age categories [ 21 ]; changes in body composition during the COVID-19 [ 22 ]; a mathematical model capable of predicting 2000 m rowing performance using a maximum-effort 100 m indoor rowing ergometer [ 23 ]; the effects of ibuprofen on performance and oxidative stress [ 24 ]; the associations of vitamin D levels with various motor performance tests [ 12 ]; the level of knowledge on FM (Fibromyalgia) [ 25 ]; and the ability of a specific BIVA (bioelectrical impedance vector analysis) to identify changes in fat mass after a 16-week lifestyle program in former athletes [ ...…”