Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 27, 2025
The Use of Thermal Infra-Red Imaging to Detect Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
Published on: January 22, 2012
Skin temperature measurement in individuals with spinal cord injury during and after exercise: Systematic review
Jose Luis Sanchez-Jimenez1, Inmaculada Aparicio1, Jose Luis Romero-Avila2
1Research Group in Sports Biomechanics (GIBD), Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Valencia, St: Gascó Oliag, 3, 46010, Valencia, Spain.
Background:
Athletes with spinal cord injury (SCI) have difficulties in maintaining thermal homeostasis during exercise due to their lower sweat capacity and skin vasodilation. Skin temperature (Tsk) assessment, as opposed to core temperature, has become more widely accepted due to its non-invasive nature. The aims of this systematic review was to collate research studies that measured Tsk of individuals with SCI during or after exercise, study their Tsk response, taking into account the method employed, the environmental and exercise conditions, and to identify the different cooling strategies and their effect during exercise.
Methods:
Pubmed, Web of Science and Scopus databases were searched to identify the articles published since year 2000. Two reviewers working independently extracted data and assessed the quality of the articles included. If they disagreed, a third reviewer was consulted. ROBINS-I scale was used to assess the quality of the articles, and the review has been conducted in agreement with PRISMA guidelines.
Results:
Twenty studies were included in this review. 84% of them presented moderate, serious or critical risk of bias. The entire of the studies assessed Tsk during exercise, but only seven studies measured it during rest or after exercise. Eighteen studies used contact thermometry to assess Tsk and the two remaining studies employed non-contact techniques. Seven studies were conducted in warm conditions (>31.5°C) and the remaining studies in moderate conditions (10°C to 26.6°C). According to cooling strategies, ice vests and water spray are effective in reducing Tsk and decreasing the risk of heat stroke.
Conclusions:
The 90% of the studies applied contact thermometry and due to their effect in the data assessed, it is necessary more research into the SCI population using infrared thermography due to its differences in characteristics, methodology, and applications. The methodological differences among studies make difficult to perform a meta-analysis.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Assessing Body Temperature - Axilla
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and put on clean gloves to maintain infection control and prevent cross-contamination.
Step 2: Prepare the patient by explaining the procedure to ensure understanding and cooperation. Ensure privacy, expose the axilla, and inform the patient that minimal movement is crucial for an accurate reading.
Step 3: Adjust the patient’s clothing to expose only the axilla. It minimizes...
01:19Assessing Body Temperature - Temporal Artery
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and don a fresh pair of gloves to prevent cross-infection and ensure patient safety.
Step 2: Explain the procedure to the patient to establish trust. Clear communication establishes trust with the patient, ensures they understand what to expect, promotes cooperation, and enhances comfort during the procedure.
Step 3: Assess the patient's...
01:27Assessing Body Temperature - Rectal
Follow these steps for rectal temperature assessment:
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and don clean gloves to prevent cross-infection.
Step 2: Position the patient in a side-lying position to better visualize the rectal...
01:14Temperature Measurement Sites
Oral: When assessing oral temperature, the thermometer tip should be placed under the tongue in the posterior sublingual pocket. It offers accurate readings and can be...
01:14Assessing Body Temperature - Oral
Step 1:
Start by practicing proper hand hygiene to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
Step 2:
Take the thermometer out of the charging unit, switch it on, and wait for the ready sign.
Step 3:
Gently slide the probe cover until a click is heard. This simple action prevents cross-contamination and ensures the correct placement of the probe cover.
Step 4:
Instruct the patient to open their mouth and place...
01:13Equipments Used to Measure Body Temperature
Glass-bulb Thermometer:
Glass-bulb thermometers are hollow glass tubes with a bulb tip containing liquid such as ethanol or mercury. Historically, glass bulb mercury thermometers were the standard device to measure body temperature. Today, mercury thermometers are prohibited in many countries due to the hazardous effects of mercury and the risk of exposure if the glass bulb breaks. In general,...