There is current interest in infrared thermography as a method to assess changes in body surface temperature to determine thermoregulatory mechanisms, especially in endurance sports. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two environmental temperatures (17 and 28°C) on body surface temperature in different anterior and posterior aspects of the body during a rectangular test in international walkers of the Spanish National Team. Three international walkers performed a rectangular test, where body temperature was measured at rest, and after the 5th, 10th and 15th run using an infrared thermographic camera in room temperatures at 17 and 28°C. In addition, oxygen consumption was measured simultaneously. ANOVA detected a group × time interaction in the chest and abdomen (right and left), left back and right calf (p = < 0.05), with a trend in the right hamstring (p = 0.053) when comparing 17°C and 28°C. ANOVA detected no significant group × time interaction (p = 0.853) but there was a significant group effect (p = 0.022). The eleven degrees increase in ambient temperature (17 to 28°C) produces changes in almost all anatomical zones, but not homogeneously in international walkers during a rectangular test. This indicates that metabolic and blood flow changes are different depending on the anatomical zone measured.
Keywords: Body temperature; Endurance exercise; Metabolism; Physiology; Thermoregulation.
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