There is no doubt that core or central temperature has a direct relationship with exercise intensity. However, local temperature responses, specifically the acute temperature effects of workouts on joints and muscles, and the temperature changes that take place during the recovery process, have not yet been well described. Infrared thermography (IRT) is a safe, non-invasive and low-cost technique that makes it possible to measure specific local thermal responses to exercise. The authors used IRT to observe changes in skin temperature related to muscle and joint activity of both the upper and lower limbs during, immediately after and up to eight hours after strength and aerobic training. They found that the use of IRT may provide important information on local metabolic activity generated by training and adaptations related to the reestablishment of initial skin temperature post training, which can indicate whether the athlete has recovered enough to be able to effectively train or compete again. If this finding can be confirmed, IRT would be a practical tool for monitoring athletes' training.
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