Thermal resting pattern and acute skin temperature response to exercise in older adults: Role of cardiorespiratory fitness

Journal of Thermal Biology, vol. 117, pp. 103678

Abstract

Infrared thermography is a growing area of interest in sports science due to the potential of skin temperature (Tsk) measurements to provide valuable information from rest to exercise. However, limited research exists on Tsk in older adults and the impact of factors such as sex and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) on Tsk. This study aims to investigate Tsk at rest and after acute exercise in older adults and assess whether sex or CRF influences Tsk. Ninety-two participants (41 women, 68.48 ± 3.01 years) were examined with a thermographic camera in a conditioned room (23.02 ± 3.01 °C) at rest and after a graded protocol. The Tsk of 25 regions of interest (ROIs) were extracted and analysed. Men had higher overall Tsk at rest in 76% of ROIs, showing significant differences (p < 0.010) in six specific ROIs, independent of CRF. Both sexes had similar Tsk responses after graded exercise, with increases in distal parts (1.06 ± 0.50 °C), decreases in proximal parts (−0.62 ± 0.42 °C), and stable central Tsk (0.23 ± 0.59 °C). Increases in lower limb Tsk were significantly associated with CRF in men and women (β = 0.438, p = 0.001, and β = 0.535, p < 0.001, respectively), explaining 17% and 27% of the variance, respectively. This study demonstrates a sex-specific effect on resting Tsk in older adults, suggesting that sex-specific Tsk patterns should be considered when analysing Tsk in this population. Additionally, the association between increases in lower limb Tsk and CRF suggests that Tsk could be a promising predictor of CRF in older adults.

Authors 6

1. Juan Corral‐Pérez

   Universidad de Cádiz · Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz

   Affiliation as printed

   ExPhy Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), Universidad de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain

2. Borja Martínez‐Téllez Aachen Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center Division of Endocrinology and Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicina

   Leiden University · Universidad de Granada · Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   PROFITH "PROmoting FITness and Health Through Physical Activity" Research Group, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Crta. Alfacar S/n, Granada, 18071, Spain; Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Division of Endocrinology and Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicina, Leiden, 2333, ZA, Netherlands

   Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Division of Endocrinology and Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicina, Leiden, 2333, ZA, Netherlands

   PROFITH "PROmoting FITness and Health Through Physical Activity" Research Group, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Crta. Alfacar S/n, Granada, 18071, Spain

3. Daniel Velázquez‐Díaz

   University of Pittsburgh · Universidad de Cádiz · Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz

   Affiliation as printed

   ExPhy Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), Universidad de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain; Brain Aging & Cognitive Health Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA

   Brain Aging & Cognitive Health Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA

   ExPhy Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), Universidad de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain

4. Jesús Gustavo Ponce‐González

   Universidad de Cádiz · Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz

   Affiliation as printed

   ExPhy Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), Universidad de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain

5. Ana Carbonell‐Baeza corresponding

   Universidad de Cádiz · Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz

   Affiliation as printed

   MOVE-IT Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), Universidad de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain. Electronic address: ana.carbonell@uca.es

   MOVE-IT Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), Universidad de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain

6. David Jiménez‐Pavón

   Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable · Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red · Universidad de Cádiz · Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz

   Affiliation as printed

   MOVE-IT Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), Universidad de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain; CIBER of Frailty and Healthy Aging (CIBERFES), Madrid, Spain

   CIBER of Frailty and Healthy Aging (CIBERFES), Madrid, Spain

   MOVE-IT Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), Universidad de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain