Macronutrient-driven skin temperature responses in para-athletes: A randomized cross-over study using infrared
Carolina Batista Simões1, Marcelo Teixeira de Andrade2, Lucas Siqueira-Moraes1
1Sports Physiology Section (SFE), Sports Training Center (CTE), School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy (EEFFTO), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Ergogenic & Systemic and Molecular Physiology Research Group (ERGOFIS), School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Clinical Nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)
|October 14, 2025
Summary
Dietary intake significantly impacts skin temperature (TSKIN) in para-athletes. Carbohydrate and protein meals increase TSKIN, while fat-rich meals decrease it, depending on disability type.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Physiology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Infrared thermography (IRT) detects skin temperature (TSKIN) changes, indicating tissue stress.
- Dietary influences on IRT accuracy in para-athletes are largely unexplored.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for optimizing IRT applications in sports and clinical settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of different macronutrient meals (carbohydrate, protein, fat) and fasting on TSKIN in para-athletes.
- To examine TSKIN responses in sport-specific regions using IRT.
- To identify biological and environmental factors modulating these responses.
Main Methods:
- Ten para-athletes participated in a randomized crossover study.
- Isocaloric meals of carbohydrate (CHO), protein (PTN), fat-rich (FAT), and overnight fasting (OVF) were administered.
- TSKIN was measured using IRT at multiple time-points post-meal, analyzed with a mixed linear model.
Main Results:
- Carbohydrate and protein meals significantly increased TSKIN over time.
- Fat-rich meals showed significant interactions with specific body regions and age.
- Interactions were also observed between physical disabilities, macronutrients, and time of day.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence of macronutrient intake significantly affecting para-athlete TSKIN.
- Carbohydrate and protein elevate TSKIN, while fat reduces it, with effects varying by disability.
- Dietary standardization is essential for enhancing the diagnostic and performance utility of IRT in para-sports.
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