Can Adipose Tissue Influence the Evaluation of Thermographic Images in Adolescents?

Infrared thermography (IRT) is a technology easy to use for clinical purposes as a pre-diagnostic tool for many health conditions. However, the analysis process of a thermographic image needs to be meticulous to make an appropriate decision. The adipose tissue is considered a potential influence factor in the skin temperature (Tsk) values obtained by IRT. This study aimed to verify the influence of body fat percentage (%BF) on Tsk measured by IRT in male adolescents. A total of 100 adolescents (16.79 ± 0.97 years old and body mass index of 18.41 ± 2.32 kg/m²) was divided into two groups through the results of a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry analysis: obese (n = 50, %BF 30.21 ± 3.79) and non-obese (n = 50, %BF 11.33 ± 3.08). Thermograms were obtained by a FLIR T420 infrared camera and analyzed by ThermoHuman® software version 2.12, subdividing the body into seven regions of interest (ROI). The results showed that obese adolescents presented lower mean Tsk values than the non-obese for all ROIs (p < 0.05), with emphasis on the global Tsk (0.91 °C) and anterior (1.28 °C) and posterior trunk (1.18 °C), with "very large" effect size values. A negative correlation was observed in all the ROI (p < 0.01), mainly in the anterior (r = -0.71, p < 0.001) and posterior trunk (r = -0.65, p < 0.001). Tables of thermal normality were proposed for different ROIs according to the classification of obesity. In conclusion, the %BF affects the registered Tsk values in male Brazilian adolescents assessed by IRT.

Effect of Whole-, Upper-, and Lower-Body High-Intensity Rowing Exercise on Skin Temperature Measured by Thermography.

Purpose: Despite the growing works analyzing exercise-induced thermoregulatory adjustments through thermography, the skin temperature (Tsk) response of the same muscle groups underwent to different exercise demands has not been investigated. This study analyzed the behavior of Tsk of the same muscle groups when exercised with different demands in rowing. Methods: Eighteen men underwent three performance tests on a rowing ergometer: whole-body 2,000 m test (RTWB), upper-body (RTUB), and lower-body (RTLB) tests. In each condition, thermograms were recorded before (pre), immediately after test (post), and at 10 (REC10), 20 (REC20), and 30 (REC30) minutes post-exercise recovery. Tsk was measured at the pectoral (control body region), upper back, quadriceps, brachial biceps, and forearm. Results: Pectoral-Tsk reduced comparably in response to all testing conditions (p < .05). Upper back-Tsk decreased post (p < .001) and returned to baseline in the RTUB (REC10, p = 1.0) and RTWB (REC30, p = .128), while remained reduced in the RTLB (p < .001). Quadriceps-Tsk reduced post (p < .05) and returned to baseline in the RTWB and RTLB at REC10 (p = 1.0), remaining reduced in the RTUB during recovery (p < .05). Regarding the upper limbs, Tsk increased more markedly in the RTUB versus RTWB during the recovery period (p < .05); in the RTLB, biceps-Tsk remained below baseline over time (p < .05), whereas the forearm-Tsk was restored at REC10 (p = 1.0). Conclusion: Manipulating the muscle groups involved in rowing alters the Tsk response within equal ROI. Exercise-induced Tsk changes can reflect local hemodynamic and thermoregulatory adjustments.

Can the body mass index influence the skin temperature of adolescents assessed by infrared thermography?

Infrared thermography (IRT) is a technology that has been used as an auxiliary tool in the diagnostic process of several diseases and in sports monitoring to prevent injuries. However, the evaluation of a thermogram can be influenced by several factors that need to be understood and controlled to avoid a misinterpretation of the thermogram and, consequently, an inappropriate clinical action. Among the possible factors that can affect IRT are anthropometric factors, especially those related to body composition. Based on these, our objective was to verify the influence of Body Mass Index (BMI) on skin temperature (Tsk) in male adolescents. One hundred male adolescents (age: 16.83 ±â€¯1.08 years; body mass: 66.51 ±â€¯13.35 kg; height: 1.75 ±â€¯7.04 m and BMI: 21.57 ±â€¯4.06 kg/m2) were evaluated and divided into three groups, based on the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed classification ranges: underweight (n = 33), normal weight (n = 34) and overweight/obesity (n = 34). Thermograms were obtained using the FLIR T420 thermal imager after a period of acclimatization of the subjects in a controlled environment (temperature: 21.3 ±â€¯0.7 °C and humidity: 55.3 ±â€¯2.2%); they were evaluated using the ThermoHuman® software, integrating the original regions of interest (ROI) into seven larger ROIs. The results showed that underweight individuals had higher Tsk values than normal weight and overweight/obese individuals for all evaluated ROIs, and overweight/obese individuals had lower Tsk values than normal weight individuals for most evaluated ROIs, except for arms region. BMI showed a correlation of -0.68 and -0.64 for the anterior and posterior regions of the trunk, respectively. Thermal normality tables were proposed for various ROIs according to BMI classification. Our study demonstrated that BMI can affect the Tsk values assessed by IRT and needs to be considered to interpret the thermograms.

Influencia de los parámetros antropométricos y la composición corporal en las imágenes termográficas / Influência de parâmetros antropométricos e de composição corporal em imagens termográficas / Influence of anthropometric parameters and body composition in thermographic images

La termografía infrarroja está siendo utilizada en la actualidad para medir la temperatura de la piel (Tsk) tanto en medicina como en ciencias delejercicio. Sin embargo, para obtener una imagen termográfica de calidad, es necesario tener en cuenta factores que intervienen para evitar unainterpretación errónea de los resultados observados, incluidos los factores antropométricos y de la composición corporal. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de estarevisión narrativa, es establecer cómo los parámetros antropométricos y de composición corporal pueden afectar los valores de Tsk, repercutiendo así enla evaluación de las imágenes termográficas. Los resultados de este estudio apuntan a un alto nivel de influencia de la superficie corporal y,especialmente, de la cantidad de grasa corporal en el patrón de normalidad esperado de la Tsk evaluada por termografía infrarroja, siendo los sujetos conmayor cantidad de grasa corporal quienes presentan menores valores de Tsk comparados con los de menor cantidad de grasa, algo que deberíaconsiderarse al evaluar a la población general y a los atletas con diferentes patrones de composición corporal.(AU)

Infrared thermography has been recently used to measure skin temperature (Tsk) in both medicine and sports medicine. However, to obtain a qualitythermographic image, it is necessary to observe intervening factors to avoid misinterpretation of the results, including anthropometric and bodycomposition factors. Therefore, the objective of this narrative review is to establish how anthropometric and body composition parameters can affect theTsk response, thus influencing the assessement of thermographic images. The results of this study point to a high level of influence of the body surfaceand, especially, of the amount of body fat in the expected Tsk pattern of normality evaluated by infrared thermography, being the subjects with higheramount of body fat who present lower Tsk values compared to those with lower body fat, which is something that should be considered when evaluatingthe general population and athletes with different body composition patterns.(AU)

A termografia infravermelha tem sido empregada de forma mais recente para mensurar a temperatura da pele (Tsk) sendo utilizada na medicina etambém na medicina esportiva. Entretanto, para se obter uma imagem termográfica de qualidade, vários fatores intervenientes precisam ser observadospara que se evite um erro de interpretação sobre os resultados observados, dentre eles os fatores antropométricos e de composição corporal. Assim que,o objetivo desta revisão narrativa é estabelecer de que forma os parâmetros antropométricos e de composição corporal podem afetar a resposta da Tsk,impactando assim na avaliação de imagens termográficas. Têm-se como principais conclusões que as evidências apontam para um elevado nível deinfluência da superfície corporal e especialmente da quantidade de gordura corporal sobe o padrão de normalidade esperada da Tsk avaliada portermografía infravermelha, de modo que indivíduos com maior quantidade de gordura corporal apresentam valores menores de Tsk quando comparadosa indivíduos com menor quantidade, devendo assim ser considerado ao avaliar a população em geral e atletas com diferentes padrões de gorduracorporal.(AU)

Comparison of Adherence to Mediterranean Diet between Spanish and German School-Children and Influence of Gender, Overweight, and Physical Activity.

BACKGROUND: Poor dietary habits and low levels of physical activity (PA) have a strong tendency to track from childhood into adulthood. The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is known to be extremely healthy, associated with lower BMI and a lower risk of obesity in children and adolescents. Therefore, adherence to the MD was compared between Spanish (n = 182) and German (n = 152) children aged 10 to 13 years to examine a possible more "westernized" diet in Spain with a non-Mediterranean country, that traditionally prefers a "Western diet" and to determine the association between adherence to the MD and gender, body composition, and PA levels. METHODS: In the German observational longitudinal cohort study and the Spanish cohort study, body composition and questionnaires (KIDMED, Diet Quality (IAES)) were obtained, and accelerometers (Actigraph) were applied to detect PA. RESULTS: Girls had higher BMI-standard deviation score (SDS) than boys and Spanish girls were less active than boys. Differences were detected in MD habits, such as favorable fruit-, vegetables-, fish-intakes, and dairy products in Spanish children and unfavorable consumptions of fast food, processed bakery goods, candies, and sweet beverages in German children. Independently of country, girls, children with lower BMI-SDS and children with higher PA level were related with better diet quality. CONCLUSION: Spanish children showed higher adherence to MD and diet quality (IAES) compared to German children, but there was a trend toward a more "westernized" diet. Gender, body composition, and PA influenced nutrition regardless of country.

Acute effect of auxotonic and isometric contraction evaluated by infrared thermography in handball players.

The Infrared Thermography (IRT) is being used in the field of sport as a means of quantifying the effects of workload. The aims of this study were (i) to determine the variations in skin temperature (Tsk) of the lower limbs after an effort of auxotonic and isometric squat contractions using infrared thermography and (ii) to study jumping performance variations in handball players after those two different contraction types. A total of 15 national level handball players voluntarily participated in the study (age: 23.20 ± 5.23 years). Two types of protocols - isometric and auxotonic - were performed on different days, having previously calculated the maximal isometric squat strength and auxotonic 1RM. During the data collection, participants performed a specific standardized warm-up and then randomly performed 4x10 repetitions of auxotonic squat to 90° of knee flexion at 70% of 1RM and 4x10 s of isometric squat effort at 90° of knee flexion, at 70% of maximal isometric squat strength (both with a passive recovery of 90 s seated). Rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and countermovement jumping performance (CMJ) were measured before and immediately after efforts. Additionally, infrared thermography data from twelve regions of interest of the lower limbs were registered before, immediately after and 15 min after finishing the effort. The main results indicated no significant differences for RPE (p = 0.486), CMJ vertical height (VH; p = 0.344) and Tsk (p > 0.05) in any of the regions of interest after protocols. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found for the time of data collection on Tsk with similar pre- and post-15 min values. In conclusion, Tsk decreased after both isometric and auxotonic effort at 70% of the maximal performance and recovered baseline values within 15 min of completion. Both efforts produced similar effects on skin temperature and did not affect jumping performance after exercise.

Consumption of energy drinks on cardiovascular and metabolic response and performance. Is there an effect? / Consumo de bebidas energéticas sobre la respuesta cardiovascular, metabólica y rendimiento. ¿Hay efecto?

Over the years, the search for nutritional strategies that promote improved sports performance has increased. Among the available options, energy drinks appear as potential nutritional resources for this purpose, because they offer, in addition to caffeine, substances that act synergistically to improve performance, such as taurine, carbohydrates, amino acids, vitamins and minerals, promoting improved performance for both amateur and professional athletes. The aim of the study was to verify the effects of ingesting energy drinks with (ED1) and without carbohydrates (ED0) containing 2 mg·kg-1 of caffeine, and a decaffeinated placebo (PL) on cardiovascular, metabolic and performance parameters during cycling. Twelve male cyclists (age = 24.4 ± 6.6 years old) volunteered to participate in this study. The protocol consisted of three experimental sessions of 60 min of continuous cycling (65-75% of VO2maxE) followed by time-trial 6 km. The subjects ingested ED1, ED0 or a placebo drink (PL) 40 min before beginning the exercise. The heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), plasma glucose and lactate concentrations, and the time taken to complete the 6 km time-trial were evaluated. The time taken to complete the time-trial was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the PL group than in the groups ED1 and ED0. This time significantly decreased after the ED1 consumption relative to that for the ED0 consumption. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure and in the plasma glucose and lactate concentrations were similar in all the considered groups. These results demonstrate that ED1 consumption appears to be more effective at maximizing performance during the last 6 km.(AU)

Con el paso de los años, se ha incrementado la búsqueda de estrategias nutricionales que promuevan un mejor rendimiento deportivo. Entre las opciones disponibles, las bebidas energéticas aparecen como potenciales recursos nutricionales para este fin, pues ofrecen, además de la cafeína, sustancias que actúan sinérgicamente para mejorar el rendimiento, como taurina, carbohidratos, aminoácidos, vitaminas y minerales, promoviendo un mejor rendimiento para atletas tanto aficionados como profesionales. El objetivo del estudio fue verificar los efectos de la ingestión de bebidas energéticas con (ED1) y sin carbohidratos (ED0) que contienen 2 mg · kg-1 de cafeína y un placebo descafeinado (PL) sobre los parámetros cardiovasculares, metabólicos y de rendimiento durante el ciclismo. Doce ciclistas varones (edad = 24,4 ± 6,6 años) participaron voluntariamente en este estudio. El protocolo consistió en tres sesiones experimentales de 60 min de ciclismo continuo (65-75% del VO2max) seguidas de una prueba contrarreloj de 6 km. Los sujetos ingirieron ED1, ED0 o una bebida placebo (PL) 40 minutos antes de comenzar el ejercicio. Se registró la frecuencia cardíaca (FC), la presión arterial (PA), las concentraciones plasmáticas de glucosa y lactato y el tiempo necesario para completar la prueba contrarreloj de 6 km. El tiempo necesario para completar la contrarreloj en el grupo PL fue significativamente mayor (p <0,05) que en los grupos ED1 y ED0. Este tiempo disminuyó significativamente después del consumo de ED1 en relación con el consumo de ED0. La frecuencia cardíaca, la presión arterial sistólica y diastólica y las concentraciones plasmáticas de glucosa y lactato fueron similares en todos los grupos. Estos resultados demuestran que el consumo de ED1 parece ser más eficaz para maximizar el rendimiento durante los últimos 6 km.(AU)

Equations based on anthropometric measurements for adipose tissue, body fat, or body density prediction in children and adolescents: a scoping review.

PURPOSE: Assessing the body composition of children and adolescents is important to monitor their health status. Anthropometric measurements are feasible and less-expensive than other techniques for body composition assessment. This study aimed to systematically map anthropometric equations to predict adipose tissue, body fat, or density in children and adolescents, and to analyze methodological aspects of the development of anthropometric equations using skinfolds. METHODS: A scoping review was carried out following the PRISMA-ScR criteria. The search was carried out in eight databases. The methodological structure protocol of this scoping review was retrospectively registered in the Open Science Framework ( https://osf.io/35uhc/ ). RESULTS: We included 78 reports and 593 anthropometric equations. The samples consisted of healthy individuals, people with different diseases or disabilities, and athletes from different sports. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was the reference method most commonly used in developing equations. Triceps and subscapular skinfolds were the anthropometric measurements most frequently used as predictors in the equations. Age, stage of sexual maturation, and peak height velocity were used as complementary variables in the equations. CONCLUSION: Our scoping review identified equations proposed for children and adolescents with a great diversity of characteristics. In many of the reports, important methodological aspects were not addressed, a factor that may be associated with equation bias. LEVEL IV: Evidence obtained from multiple time series analysis such as case studies. (NB: dramatic results in uncontrolled trials might also be regarded as this type of evidence).

Effects of Resistance Training on Skin Temperature and Its Relationship with Central Nervous System (CNS) Activation.

The aim of this work was to relate the activation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems with the skin temperature (Tsk) of the lower limbs after a resistance training exercise. Under controlled conditions, the average Tsk in the areas of the anterior and posterior thighs, knees and legs was obtained with a thermal imager and the parasympathetic and sympathetic activation was registered with an Omegawave® device on 20 healthy and trained male volunteers (25.39 ± 8.21 years) before exercise, immediately after standard resistance training (3 exercises (2 quadriceps + 1 hamstrings) × 4 sets × 10 repetitions (70% 1RM), 90-sec recovery) and after 20 min of recovery. The results showed a significant effect of exercise and recovery on Tsk in all regions of interest (ROIs) considered (p < 0.05) and strong inverse relationships between sympathetic and parasympathetic activation values. Significant results were found for the total variation of Tsk (p < 0.05) with highly positive values for subjects with lower sympathetic activation and almost null or even negative values for those with higher sympathetic activation. Sympathetic activity was a significant predictor of total Tsk variation in the anterior thigh, posterior thigh and anterior knee but not in the posterior knee, anterior leg, and posterior leg. Baseline Tsk was a significant predictor of total Tsk variation the all ROIs except in the posterior knee. Tsk measured by thermography could be used to estimate the level of participation of muscle areas in exercise and registering the level of sympathetic activation before exercise could be interesting in predicting the athlete's physiological response to strength training.

Correction: García-Aliaga et al. Comparative Analysis of Soccer Performance Intensity of the Pre-Post-Lockdown COVID-19 in LaLiga™. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 3685.

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...].

Air shooting competition effects on visual skills depending on the sport level.

Olympic shooting is a sport with high demands of accuracy. Minimal visual errors could be related to performance losses. However, not all visual skills have been studied in depth in this sport. The main objectives of this study were to compare differences in shooters' visual skills by level and to analyze the competition effect on them. Sixty-six participants were distributed in three groups (non-athletes, elite and non-elite). Eleven visual variables were tested in four skills groups (visual acuity, heterophoria, accommodation functions and other visual skills). The data were collected through a pre- and post-competition simulation test. The results of the study showed differences between groups by shooting sport level. In general, shooters had higher visual acuity values than non-athletes p < .001 with large size effects (d between 1.01 and 2.35), and elite shooters presented higher values of accommodation than non-elite shooters p < .05 with large size effects (d between 0.88 and 0.97). Furthermore, different visual skills were modified after competition depending on the shooting level. Specifically, visual accommodation skills were only improved in elite shooters. Finally, our study suggests that elite shooters employ different visual strategies or skills to non-elite shooters and that shooting activity is closely related to some specific visual skills. This aspect should be considered by coaches in the design of optimal visual trainings and improve the shooters' performance.Highlights Shooters showed better acuity skills than non-athletes.Shooting activity seems to improve visual acuity skills, binocular visual time and eye-hand coordination in non-elite shooters, and accommodation and eye-hand coordination in elite shooters immediately after the competition simulation.Elite shooters employ different visual strategies or skills to non-elite shooters.Non-dominant eye occlusion may benefit binocular vision recovery by inhibiting aiming action and the use of accommodative flexibility could be related to the QE during the shot.

Can body mass index influence the skin temperature of adolescents? A preliminary study with the use of infrared thermography / O índice de massa corporal pode influenciar a temperatura da pele de adolescentes? Um estudo preliminar com o uso da termografia infravermelha

Abstract Infrared thermography (IRT) has been used to assess skin temperature (Tsk), especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, as an important tool in medical screening not only of the general population, but also of young athletes. However, the subcutaneous adipose tissue can act as an insulator when the Tsk is assessed by IRT, modifying the normal Tsk data and leading to their misinterpretation. Considering that the body mass index (BMI) is an important predictor of obesity, the objective of this study was to verify if the Tsk measured by IRT is affected by the BMI in adolescents. A preliminary study was carried out being four participants intentionally selected, all 16 years old, each one classified in a different BMI range according to the criteria of the World Health Organization for the adolescent population: underweight, healthy weight, overweight and obesity. Four thermograms of each participant were recorded and the ThermoHuman® software was used to evaluate 82 regions of interest (ROI), which were integrated into 6 body regions. Using healthy weight subjects as a reference, it was found a progressive reduction in Tsk in all ROI compared to overweight and obese participants, with emphasis on the anterior region of the trunk (3.04% and 6.69% less respectively), and an increase in the Tsk of all body regions for the underweight subject. There are indications that BMI can influence the Tsk value in adolescents and should be taken into account when analyzing thermograms for a correct evaluation of thermal normality.

Resumo A termografia infravermelha (TI) tem sido uma técnica empregada para avaliar a temperatura da pele (TP), especialmente durante a pandemia do COVID-19. Contudo, existem indicações que o tecido adiposo subcutâneo pode agir como uma camada isolante, alterando o comportamento da TP, o que pode dificultar a interpretação da normalidade térmica. Tendo em vista que o índice de massa corporal (IMC) é considerado um importante preditor de obesidade, o objetivo deste estudo foi verificar se a TP sofre interferência de diferentes classificações de IMC em adolescentes. Foram selecionados 4 participantes de maneira intencional, todos com 16 anos, cada um foi classificado em uma diferente faixa de IMC para população de adolescentes segundo a classificação proposta pela Organização Mundial de Saúde para essa idade: baixo peso, peso normal, sobrepeso e obesidade. Foram feitos quatro termogramas, avaliados no software ThermoHuman®, que avalia 82 regiões corporais de interesse (RCI), que foram integradas em 6 regiões corporais. Utilizando os indivíduos com peso normal como referência, foi encontrada uma redução progressiva na TP comparada aos participantes com sobrepeso e obesidade, com ênfase para a região anterior de tronco (3.04% e 6.69% menores, respectivamente), e um aumento na TP de todas as regiões corporais comparadas ao sujeito com baixo peso. Isso indica que o IMC pode influenciar nos valores da TP em adolescentes e deve ser levado em consideração para uma avaliação correta da normalidade térmica.

Sustainable Food Support during an Ultra-Endurance and Mindfulness Event: A Case Study in Spain.

The present industrial food-production system is not suitably ecological for the environment. Mindful nutrition in sport is a relevant emergent sub-discipline that could help reduce environmental degradation. This case study describes a sustainable support diet during an ultra-endurance running (UR) event called the "Indoor Everest Challenge". This UR challenge involved attaining the altitude of Mount Everest (8849 m) in a simulated way, in less than 24 h, without using ultra-processed food and without wasting plastics. During this challenge, a male athlete (34 years, weight: 78 kg, and height: 173 cm) wore a SenseWear Armband® (BodyMedia Inc., Pittsburg, PA, USA) accelerometer on his right arm to estimate energy expenditure. To supply his nutritional requirements, the athlete consumed only specially prepared homemade and organic food. All consumption was weighed and recorded in real-time; we determined nutrients using two databases: a food composition software, Dial Alce Ingenieria® (Madrid, Spain), to measure energy and macro- and micro-nutrients, and Phenol Explorer Database® (INRA Institut National de Recherche pour l'Alimentation, Paris, France) precisely to determine polyphenolic content. Most energy intake (up to 96%) came from plant foods. We found that subject consumed 15.8 g/kg-1/d-1 or 1242 g of carbohydrates (CHO), (2.4 g/kg-1/d-1) or 190 g of proteins (P), and 10,692 mL of fluid. The total energy intake (7580 kcal) showed a distribution of 65% CHO, 10% P, and 25% lipids (L). Furthermore, this sustainable diet lead to a high antioxidant intake, specifically vitamin C (1079 mg), vitamin E (57 mg), and total polyphenols (1910 mg). This sustainable approach was suitable for meeting energy, CHO, and P recommendations for UR. Physical and mental training (mindfulness) were integrated from the specific preliminary phase to the day of the challenge. The athlete completed this challenge in 18 h with a low environmental impact. This sports event had an educational component, as it awakened curiosity towards food sustainability.

Impact of airflow on body cooling in exercise: an exploratory study / Impacto del flujo de aire en el enfriamiento del cuerpo en el ejercicio: un estudio exploratorio

Objective: To analyze the body heat dissipation by thermography during indoor running treadmill with different airflowconditions.Materials and method: Nine male participants (23.0±2.5 years old) underwent three 45-minute moderate-intensity runningsessions (60-70% reserve heart rate) on a treadmill. At each session, a different experimental condition was applied in a cros-sover design: without airflow (NF), and with low (LF) and high airflow (HF) generated by a fun. Thermograms were obtainedwith a thermal camera before exercise, during (every 10 minutes), and after exercise. Skin temperature (Tsk) was measuredon regions of interest of the upper body: pectoral, brachial biceps, and upper back. A repeated measures ANOVA was usedto compare Tsk over time and between conditions, considering p<0.05 as statistically significant.Results: In pectoral and brachial biceps, LF and HF conditions provided greater reductions in Tsk at all moments when com-pared to the NF (p<0.05). There was a higher reduction in Tsk to the HF vs LF in biceps at 30, 40, and 45 min during exercise(p<0.05). In the upper back, Tsk remained below baseline at all moments during exercise only in the HF condition (p<0.05).In NF and LF conditions, Tsk returned to baseline at 30 min during exercise (p>0.05).Conclusion: The frontal wind flow enhances body heat dissipation during moderate-intensity running in the pectoral, brachialbiceps, and upper back, with a direct relationship of flow speed and Tsk reduction during exercise.(AU)

Objetivo: Analizar el disipación del calor corporal mediante termografía en ejercicio de carrera en tapiz con diferentescondiciones de flujo de aire.Material y método: Nueve hombres (23,0±2,5 años) se sometieron a tres sesiones de 45 minutos de carrera de intensidadmoderada (60-70% frecuencia cardíaca de reserva) en tapiz, bajo tres condiciones diferentes en un diseño cruzado: sin flujo deaire (NF) y con flujo de aire bajo (LF) y alto (HF) generado por un ventilador. Los termogramas se obtuvieron con una cámaratérmica antes del ejercicio, durante y después del ejercicio, midiéndose la temperatura de la piel (Tp) en las regiones de interésdel pectorales, bíceps braquiales y parte superior de la espalda. Se utilizó un ANOVA de medidas repetidas para comparar Tpen función del tiempo y entre condiciones, considerando p<0,05 como estadísticamente significativo.Resultados: En los pectorales y bíceps braquiales, las condiciones LF y HF redujeron en todo momento la Tp comparadas conNF (p<0,05). La reducción de Tp fue mayor con HF que con LF en bíceps a los 30, 40 y 45 min (p<0,05). En la espalda superior,la Tp se mantuvo siempre por debajo de la línea base durante el ejercicio solo en la condición HF (p<0,05). En condicionesde NF y LF la Tp volvió a valores de referencia a los 30 min de ejercicio (p>0,05).Conclusiones: El flujo de viento frontal mejora la disipación del calor corporal en pectorales, bíceps braquiales y parte superiorde la espalda durante la carrera de intensidad moderada, con una relación directa de la velocidad del flujo y la reducción dela Tp durante el ejercicio.(AU)

Analysis of Effectiveness of a Supplement Combining Harpagophytum procumbens, Zingiber officinale and Bixa orellana in Healthy Recreational Runners with Self-Reported Knee Pain: A Pilot, Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Recreational running (RR) is becoming a popular way to increase physical activity for improving health, together with a higher incidence of knee injuries. The aim was to analyze the effect of a four-week supplementation with a mixture of Harpagophytum procumbens, Zingiber officinale and Bixa orellana on males, middle-aged, RR with an undiagnosed knee discomfort. A randomized triple-blind placebo-control trial was conducted among male RR aged 40-60 years suffering from self-declared knee discomfort after training. Participants were assigned to supplementation (2 g/day in 6 doses; n = 13; intervention group (IG)) or matched placebo (n = 15; control group (CG)) for 4 weeks. At pre- and post-intervention, assessment of routine blood biomarkers, body composition, running biomechanics and body temperature was performed using standardized procedures. Machine learning (ML) techniques were used to classify whether subjects belonged to IG or CG. ML model was able to correctly classify individuals as IG or CG with a median accuracy of 0.857. Leg fat mass decreased significantly (p = 0.037) and a deeper reduction in knee thermograms was observed in IG (p < 0.05). Safety evaluation revealed no significant differences in the rest of parameters studied. Subjects belonging to IG or CG are clearly differentiated, pointing into an effect of the supplement of ameliorating inflammation.

Comparative Analysis of Soccer Performance Intensity of the Pre-Post-Lockdown COVID-19 in LaLiga™.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) forced a stoppage in the 2019/2020 season of LaLiga™, possibly influencing performance indicators in the return to competition. Therefore, here, we evaluated whether the stoppage due to the coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) lockdown influenced physical performance compared to the start of LaLigaTM in terms of high-intensity efforts. Using a semi-automatic, multiple-camera system, running activities during 22 matches were analyzed. We compared the first 11 matches of the season (pre-lockdown) with the 11 matches just after the restart of LaLiga™ (post-lockdown). The results showed higher (p < 0.05) performance in the pre-lockdown period compared with the post-lockdown period, including in medium-speed running (14.1-21 km/h), high-speed running (21.1-24 km/h), and sprinting speed running distances (>24 km/h). However, the number of accelerations/min and decelerations/min were significantly higher during the post-lockdown period. Therefore, we conclude that the stoppage due to the COVID-19 lockdown generated lower physical performance in the post-lockdown period compared with the pre-lockdown period, most likely due to the accumulation of matches (congested schedules).

Lactate Concentration Is Related to Skin Temperature Variation After a Specific Incremental Judo Test.

ABSTRACT: Gomes Moreira, D, José Brito, C, de Almeida Ferreira, JJ, Bouzas Marins, JC, López Díaz de Durana, A, Couceiro Canalejo, J, Butragueño Revenga, J, and Sillero-Quintana, M. Lactate concentration is related to skin temperature variation after a specific incremental judo test. J Strength Cond Res 35(8): 2213-2221, 2021-This study aimed to analyze the skin temperature (tsk) response in judokas after a specific incremental test and to determine whether anthropometric and physiological measures can be explained by the variation in mean tsk. A total of 23 male judo athletes (age: 20.1 ± 4.7 years; height: 173.1 ± 8.1 cm; and body mass: 71.7 ± 8.1 kg) performed a specific incremental judo test. Skin temperature evaluations were collected in 26 regions of interest (ROIs), and the mean tsk was calculated using an equation including 10 of them. The time points before the test (pre-test), immediately after (0 minutes), and after 5, 10, and 15 minutes of the test were established to measure the tsk, mean tsk, auricular temperature (tau), and blood lactate (LAC). The athletes completed a mean of 7.0 ± 1.0 stages of the test, 95% confidence interval (CI; 6.2-7.1). The V̇o2peak achieved was 48.7 ± 5.3 ml·kg-1·min-1, 95% CI (46.4-51.0). Compared with pre-test values, only the forehead significantly decreased 5 minutes after the test (p < 0.05). The posterior right arm and posterior left arm remained increased 10 minutes after the test (p < 0.05). After 15 minutes, 19 of the 26 ROIs analyzed were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Among all tested models of linear regression, only 2 were significant, the difference of tsk 5 minutes compared with pre-test (F1, 21 = 16.49, p = 0.001) and the difference of tsk 10 minutes compared with pre-test, to predict LAC concentration at the end of the test (F1, 21 = 9.30, p = 0.006). We concluded that 5 minutes after the test, the judokas present a higher tau and a higher tsk in 7 ROIs, and the tsk decreases 15 minutes after the test in 19 of the considered ROIs. The variation of mean tsk 5 and 10 minutes after the test compared with pre-test values is associated with blood LAC at the end of the test.

Ischemic Preconditioning and Muscle Force Capabilities.

ABSTRACT: Valenzuela, PL, Martín-Candilejo, R, Sánchez-Martínez, G, Bouzas Marins, JC, de la Villa, P, and Sillero-Quintana, M. Ischemic preconditioning and muscle force capabilities. J Strength Cond Res 35(8): 2187-2192, 2021-This study analyzed the effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on muscle force capabilities. Sixteen male subjects participated in this randomized, crossover, sham-controlled study. They were assigned to either IPC (3 × 5 minutes at 220 mm Hg in both arms with 5-minute rests) or a sham intervention (SHAM) (occlusion pressure set at 10 mm Hg). Forty minutes later, their force capabilities on the bench press exercise were assessed (load-velocity relationship with light, moderate, and heavy loads [30, 50, and 70% body mass, respectively]; 1 repetition maximum [1RM]; and number of repetitions to failure in 3 sets with 60% RM). The skin temperature (Tsk) of the pectoral and biceps muscles was analyzed as a secondary endpoint by means of infrared thermography. A significant decrease in the Tsk of the pectoral and biceps muscles was observed after the intervention (p < 0.01) and before the warm-up (p < 0.05) in IPC, but not in SHAM. However, exercise resulted in a similar Tsk increase in the pectoral muscles in both conditions (p > 0.05). No significant differences (p > 0.05 for all) were observed between conditions in the mean velocity attained with light (1.11 ± 0.11 and 1.09 ± 0.14 m·s-1, respectively), moderate (0.83 ± 0.14 and 0.83 ± 0.16 m·s-1), nor heavy loads (0.56 ± 0.17 and 0.54 ± 0.16 m·s-1), in 1RM (75.0 ± 18.9 and 73.1 ± 15.0 kg for IPC and SHAM, respectively; p = 0.181), nor in the number of repetitions performed (52 ± 13 and 54 ± 16 repetitions, p = 0.492). In summary, IPC decreased Tsk locally (biceps) and remotely (pectoral). However, it did not alter muscle force capabilities nor the Tsk response to exercise.

Effects of conventional and sugar-free energy drinks intake in runners: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the effects of two types of energy drinks (ED) intake in trained runners. METHODS: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted over 6 weeks. Participants and beverages were allocated by randomization. Twelve men 23±2.6 years, 177±3.4 cm, 74.4±5.5 kg, VO2max=59.8±5.5 mL·(kg.min)-1] ingested either a conventional energy drink containing carbohydrates and 3 mg·kg-1 of caffeine, (ED1), a sugar-free energy drink 3 mg·kg-1 of caffeine (ED2), or a carbohydrate-containing, decaffeinated placebo (PL) 40-minutes before an exercise protocol. Sprint time, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), blood pressure (BP), heart rate and plasmatic glucose were evaluated during the experimental protocol. RESULTS: Performance improved after consuming both ED (P<0.004 ED1 and P=0.001 ED2) with lower RPE (P<0.05 for ED1 and P<0.05 for ED2) compared to PL. Consumption of ED2 decreased RER values at 0-5 minutes and 40-45 minutes (P<0.001), and ED1 increased systolic BP (P<0.05) during exercise compared to PL. There were no differences in the evaluated parameters between EDs (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of conventional or sugar free ED represents a valid ergogenic strategy to improve acute performance with reduction of RPE. However, intake of a conventional ED warrants caution, mainly because the effects on systolic BP.

Thermographic response resulting from strength training: A preliminary study

INTRODUCTION: Exercise induces modifications in thermal homeostasis. The type of exercise may have a specific impact on skin temperature (Tsk). OBJECTIVE: To analyze and compare the behavior of Tsk in a resistance training between men and women and monitor the thermal recovery response. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen male and female adults (24.56±3.22 years old) underwent a resistance circuit training session. They performed 3 sets of 12 repetitions with 70-80% 1 RM for lat pulldown, leg press, and biceps arm curl exercises. Thermograms were taken in anterior and posterior body view at rest, 20min, and 24h after training. Tsk was measured in the body regions of interest corresponding to the brachial biceps, quadriceps, and upper back. ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc test was used to analyze Tsk changes among moments, and independent samples t-test was used to compare Tsk between males and females. RESULTS: At rest, women showed Tsk significantly lower than men. There was no significant Tsk change 20min after exercise. However, Tsk increased 24h after exercise in the upper back for men compared with baseline and in quadriceps for women compared with baseline and 20min after exercise (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The Tsk of women at rest is lower than that of men. A resistance circuit training session does not significantly change Tsk 20min after exercise, but it increases Tsk 24h after training in the upper back for men and quadriceps for women

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