BODY FAT PERCENTAGE AND LOWER LIMBS TEMPERATURE IN RECREATIONAL CYCLISTS DURING AN INCREMENTAL TEST

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate temperature variations on the thighs in an incremental cycling test in healthy recreational cyclists with two different fat percentages. Thirty-two male recreational cyclists were measured in height, body mass, thigh skinfold and body fat percentage, and from the body fat percentage were divided into two groups, Group 1: 16 cyclists who presented body fat percentage 24%. Three thermographic photos were taken, before (Pre), just after (Post) and after 10 min (Post10) of the incremental cycling test to determine mean temperature of right and left Vastus Laterallis, Rectus Femoris and Biceps Femoris. Temperature variations were defined as the difference among the three moments: (i) var1 = Post-Pre, (ii) var2 = Post10-Pre and (iii) var3 = Post10-Post. Differences between groups and moments were calculated using magnitude-based inferences. Group 1 evidenced a very likely large increase in the cycling peak power output. Group2 showed a likely and most likely moderate, large and very large increase in age, body mass and fat. Group1 depicted a very likely to likely moderate temperature increase in the right and left Vastus Lateralis, Rectus Femoris and Biceps Femoris on Post10 compared to Post effort moment. Both groups depicted a very likely and most likely moderate and large temperature decrease of right and left Biceps Femoris on Pre compared to Post effort. Percentage of fat seems to discreetly influence skin temperature response, finding that might not be observed when we evaluate trained cyclists exhibiting different percentages of fat.