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Infrared tympanic thermometry in a hot environment.
J D Coso1, R Aguado-Jimenez, R Mora-Rodriguez
1Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain.
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|January 24, 2008
Summary
Tympanic infrared thermometry (Tty-IRED) can underestimate rectal temperature (T(REC)) during exercise in heat with airflow or cooling. However, it accurately detects hyperthermia in hot, still air conditions.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Environmental Heat Stress
- Thermoregulation
Background:
- Accurate core body temperature measurement is crucial during exercise in heat.
- Tympanic infrared thermometry (Tty-IRED) is a non-invasive method, but its accuracy compared to core measures like rectal (T(REC)) and esophageal (T(ES)) temperatures needs further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare Tty-IRED with T(REC) and T(ES) during exercise in hot environments under varying conditions.
- To assess the reliability of Tty-IRED for detecting hyperthermia during exertional heat stress.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments involving subjects cycling in hot environments (37°C).
- Experiment 1: Still air (<0.2 m/s) with and without cooling interventions (water ingestion, wind, ice).
- Experiment 2: Airflow at 2.5 m/s.
- Temperature measurements using Tty-IRED, T(REC), and T(ES), analyzed with Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman plots.
Main Results:
- In Experiment 1 (still air), Tty-IRED and T(REC) showed high correlation (r=0.83) and agreement (-0.08±0.4°C).
- Cooling interventions (wind/ice) caused Tty-IRED to underestimate T(REC) (p<0.05).
- In Experiment 2 (airflow), Tty-IRED significantly underestimated T(REC) (-1.01±1.1°C), with disagreement increasing as hyperthermia developed.
Conclusions:
- Tty-IRED can dangerously underestimate rectal temperature during exercise in hot environments with airflow or cooling treatments.
- Tty-IRED may be suitable for detecting hyperthermia in hot, still-air conditions during exercise.
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