Validity of a Tympanic Thermometer and Thermal Imaging Camera for Measuring Core and Skin Temperature during Exercise in the Heat

ABSTRACT

This study compared criterion to minimally invasive, practical measures of core (T_c) and skin (T_sk) temperature during 30 min of moderate-intensity cycle exercise in a heat chamber (35°C, 60% rH). T_c was monitored using a core temperature pill (T_c(Pill)) and tympanic thermometer (T_c(Tymp)) during rest, exercise, and recovery in 15 participants. T_sk was monitored using hard-wired skin thermistors attached to a data logger (T_sk(T)) and a thermal imaging camera (T_sk(IR)) in 11 participants. T_c measurement resulted in no significant difference (p > 0.05), a mean bias of 0.1°C, coefficient of variation (CV%) of 1.0%, and correlation of r = 0.74 between devices. T_sk measurement resulted in a significant difference (p = 0.01), a mean bias of 0.6°C, CV% of 2.3%, and correlation of r = 0.61 between devices. T_c(Tymp) demonstrated acceptable agreement with T_c(Pill); however, caution is advised when using T_sk(IR) to give accurate measures of T_sk during exercise.

KEYWORDS:

• Thermoregulation
• measurement
• hyperthermia
• exercise