Reliability and validity of skin temperature measurement by telemetry thermistors and a thermal camera during exercise in the heat

C. A. James*, A. J. Richardson, P. W. Watt, N. S. Maxwell

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

58 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

New technologies afford convenient modalities for skin temperature (TSKIN) measurement, notably involving wireless telemetry and non-contact infrared thermometry. The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of skin temperature measurements using a telemetry thermistor system (TT) and thermal camera (TC) during exercise in a hot environment. Each system was compared against a certified thermocouple, measuring the surface temperature of a metal block in a thermostatically controlled waterbath. Fourteen recreational athletes completed two incremental running tests, separated by one week. Skin temperatures were measured simultaneously with TT and TC compared against a hard-wired thermistor system (HW) throughout rest and exercise. Post hoc calibration based on waterbath results displayed good validity for TT (mean bias [MB]=-0.18°C, typical error [TE]=0.18°C) and reliability (MB=-0.05°C, TE=0.31°C) throughout rest and exercise. Poor validity (MB=-1.4°C, TE=0.35°C) and reliability (MB=-0.65°C, TE=0.52°C) was observed for TC, suggesting it may be best suited to controlled, static situations. These findings indicate TT systems provide a convenient, valid and reliable alternative to HW, useful for measurements in the field where traditional methods may be impractical.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)141-149
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Thermal Biology
Volume45
Early online date3 Sept 2014
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2014

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Physiology
  • Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
  • Developmental Biology

User-Defined Keywords

  • Exercise
  • Heat stress
  • Reliability
  • Skin temperature
  • Thermal camera
  • Validity

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