In the field of sports and physical exercise, understanding how the body regulates temperature during intense activities is essential for optimizing athletic performance and preventing risks associated with overheating. In this context, a recent study published in the Journal of Thermal Biology focuses on the relationship between skin temperature (Tsk) and body composition in athletes subjected to maximal physical exertion. The research, conducted by a multidisciplinary team of experts in sports science and physical therapy, provides valuable insights into the thermoregulatory mechanisms in elite and amateur athletes.
Maintaining a constant core body temperature is crucial for proper bodily function, especially during intense exercise. Skin temperature, a variable that changes depending on thermoregulatory processes, is influenced by factors such as skin blood flow, skin perfusion, and muscle contraction. Additionally, body composition plays a key role in thermoregulation. In particular, previous studies have suggested that adipose tissue, due to its insulating properties, and skeletal muscle, as a heat generator, can influence thermal responses during exercise.
The main objective of this study was to explore the correlation between Tsk and different body components, particularly fat and muscle tissue, in athletes during incremental exercise and the subsequent recovery phase.
The study included 42 male athletes, divided into groups based on their aerobic capacity and type of sport (futsal players, endurance athletes, sprinters, and recreational runners). Advanced body composition measurement methods, such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), were used to obtain accurate data on body fat, skeletal muscle mass, and lean tissue in the lower limbs. Skin temperature measurements were also taken using infrared thermography at rest, during a treadmill test until exhaustion, and during a 30-minute recovery period.
The results revealed a significant decrease in Tsk as exercise intensity increased, with the most notable reduction occurring at speeds above 12 km/h. During the recovery phase, skin temperature rose rapidly, especially within the first five minutes. These findings align with previous studies suggesting vasoconstriction during intense exercise and subsequent vasodilation during recovery.
Regarding body composition, a significant negative correlation was found between Tsk and the percentage of body fat, both globally and in the lower limbs. This indicates that higher fat content is associated with lower skin temperatures. This inverse relationship remained consistent across all stages of exercise and recovery. Interestingly, no significant correlation was found between Tsk and skeletal muscle mass, suggesting that adipose tissue plays a more determinant role in surface thermoregulation than muscle tissue.
One of the most relevant findings of this study is that the amount of body fat, both total and localized in the lower limbs, is a key factor influencing athletes' thermal regulation. The insulating properties of adipose tissue reduce heat transfer at the surface, especially during high-intensity exercise, where heat generated by muscles does not dissipate as easily through the skin in individuals with higher fat content.
These findings have practical implications in the field of sports training and recovery strategies. Coaches and trainers can consider athletes' body composition when designing conditioning and recovery programs, ensuring that those with higher fat content have appropriate strategies for thermal regulation during and after training sessions.
The study concludes that skin temperature in athletes during exercise and recovery is strongly influenced by body fat content, highlighting the importance of considering body composition when optimizing thermoregulatory processes.
Future research should explore the interaction between skin microcirculation and different body tissues to gain a more complete understanding of the mechanisms involved in temperature regulation during exercise.
This work provides a solid foundation for future studies in the field of athletic performance, suggesting that both body fat assessment and skin temperature monitoring could become key tools for improving athletes' physical conditioning and safety.
ThermoHuman has had the support of the Funds of the European Union and the Community of Madrid through the Operational Programme on Youth Employment. Likewise, ThermoHuman within the framework of the Export Initiation Program of ICEX NEXT, had the support of ICEX and the co-financing of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Thermohuman has received funding from the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI), in participation with the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), for the R+D activities involved in creating a new tool, based on thermography, for the prediction and prevention of rheumatoid arthritis. See project detail.
