Tissue viability imaging of skin microcirculation following exposure to Cold Air (-110°C) and Cold Water (8°C)
Leahy, Martin
Leahy, Martin
Loading...
Repository DOI
Publication Date
2013
Keywords
Type
Article
Downloads
Citation
Costello, J, McNamara, P., Leahy, M., Algar, L., O Connell, M., Donnelly, A. (2013) 'Tissue viability imaging of skin microcirculation following exposure to Cold Air (-110°C) and Cold Water (8°C)'. Archives of Exercise in Health & Disease, .
Abstract
Cryotherapy is currently used in various clinical, rehabilitative and sporting settings. However, very little is known regarding the impact of cooling on the microcirculatory response. Objectives: The present study sought to examine the influence of two commonly employed modalities of cryotherapy, whole body cryotherapy (WBC; -110°C) and cold water immersion (CWI; 8±1°C), on skin microcirculation in the mid thigh region. Methods: The skin area examined was a 3 ´ 3 cm located between the most anterior aspect of the inguinal fold and the patella. Following 10 minutes of rest, 5 healthy, active males were exposed to either WBC for 3 minutes or CWI for 5 minutes in a randomised order. Volunteers lay supine for five minutes after treatment, in order to monitor the variation of red blood cell (RBC) concentration in the region of interest for a duration of 40 minutes. Microcirculation response was assessed using a non-invasive, portable instrument known as a Tissue Viability imaging system. After a minimum of seven days, the protocol was repeated. Subjective assessment of the volunteer¿s thermal comfort and thermal sensation was also recorded. Results: RBC was altered following exposure to both WBC and CWI but appeared to stabilise approximately 35 minutes after treatments. Both WBC and CWI affected thermal sensation (p < 0.05), however no between group differences in thermal comfort or sensation were recorded (p > 0.05). Conclusions: As both WBC and CWI altered RBC, further study is necessary to examine the mechanism for this alteration during whole body cooling.
Funder
Publisher
CIAFEL
Publisher DOI
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Ireland