Comparing Skin Temperatures between Nordic Walking and General Walking for 60 Minutes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of 60-minute walking workouts using nordic walking poles on skin temperatures, and examine differences in body heat changes between nordic walking and general walking. Infrared thermal imaging was measured in healthy male and female adults (nordic 17, general 16). The participants were attached radial markers on upper extremity, trunk, and lower extremity to be recognized accurately. After attaching the markers then measured standard skin temperature by Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (IRIS-XP, MEDI-CORE, Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea). Both group walked for 60 minutes, the retest were taken 4 times per 20 minutes. Region of interest was set at below the radial marker and compared average value between nordic walking and general walking. For nordic walking, all muscles except the triceps in the upper extremity showed statistically significant differences in body heat changes according to time variations (0,20,40,60) (<0.05). Nordic walking showed statistically significant differences in body heat changes in the external oblique, rectus abdominis, and erector spinae of the trunk (p<0.05), and the body heat decreased during the workouts. Nordic walking showed statistically significant differences in the rectus femoris and hamstring of the lower extremity (p<0.05) and the body heat decreased with time. Human skin temperature declines during both nordic walking and general walking.