Skin temperature as a thermal controller of exercise intensity

Abstract

This study examined the role of skin temperature on self-selected exercise intensity (i.e., power output). Eight well-trained, male cyclists completed two 60 min self-paced cycling bouts during which they completed as much work as possible. Using a liquid-perfused suit, skin temperature (T (Sk)) was changed during the two trials such that T (Sk) either started hot and was cooled (H to C) or started cold and was heated (C to H) throughout exercise. Pre-exercise core temperatures (T (C)) and heart rates (HR) were similar between trials, while T (Sk), thermal comfort and thermal sensation were higher in H to C. The change in T (Sk) was similar in magnitude during the two trials. Work completed was greatest in C to H, which was attributed to a higher initial power output. T (C) was similar between trials. HR was similar until 35 min had elapsed, after which it became lower in H to C. The perception of effort increased similarly between the two trials, while thermal comfort and thermal sensation generally reflected the changes observed in T (Sk). These results indicate that upon exercise commencement T (Sk) and the accompanying thermal perceptions are important inputs in the initial selection of exercise intensity.

The validity of endurance running performance on the Curve 3TMnon-motorised treadmill

“…Further, different convective loads due to wind resistance and greater heat stress outdoors from radiation may have altered core and skin temperatures, which could not be measured in this investigation. Higher body temperatures may have slowed runners; however, thermal comfort was not significantly different between trials and is highly related to skin temperature (Schlader, Simmons, Stannard, & Mündel, 2011). Further, there were no significant differences in ambient temperatures or relative humidity between trials.…”

Self-paced intermittent-sprint performance and pacing strategies following respective pre-cooling and heating

“…Interestingly, similar to Duffield et al (2010), the differences in core and skin temperatures had dissipated between passive heating and pre-cooling by the final stages of the protocol when differences in pacing were present. These findings suggest that increased pre-exercise thermal strain may lead to anticipatory reductions in neural drive due to afferent feedback from the periphery regarding cardiovascular load, T core (Tucker et al 2006) and skin temperature (Schlader et al 2011). Further evidence of this protective mechanism has been supported by studies showing that exercise terminates at a critical temperature (Gonzalez-Alonso et al 1999) and an anticipatory regulation of muscle recruitment during self-paced exercise governs the rate of rise of endogenous thermal load (Marino et al 2004;Tucker et al 2006).…”

Performance in the Heat—Physiological Factors of Importance for Hyperthermia‐Induced Fatigue

“…In particular, high skin temperature is associated with thermal discomfort (88,101,114) and this could be an important factor influencing the selected intensity during self-paced prolonged exercise as discussed by Schlader and colleagues (271,272).…”

“…The elevations in skin blood flow as well as the associated cardiovascular consequences may influence submaximal exercise performance via sensory feedback, but at present these hypotheses are based on correlative observations and future studies should aim at separating the cardiovascular factors from the effects directly related to changes in the body core and skin temperatures. It remains unknown if inhibitory signals from skin receptors or blood pressure regulation challenges may impair motor performance during dynamic exercise (see later sections for discussion of hyperthermia-induced effects of elevated body temperatures on central fatigue and voluntary activation), but it is likely that high skin temperatures may influence thermal discomfort and this may interfere with CNS mechanisms of importance for fatigue (172,271).…”