Association between infrared thermography, anthropometry and cardiovascular risk parameters in men

Anthropometric parameters for the estimation of body composition are variables commonly used in the identification of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs). In this regard, infrared thermography (IT) could be used as a tool that provides relevant information in the CVRFs assessment by estimating skin surface temperature and its relationship with the anthropometric measures associated with these factors. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of skin surface temperature in adult men with anthropometric variables associated with CVRFs. The study gathered sixty-four healthy men aged 26.4 +/- 7.8 years, 76.1 +/- 13.3 kg body mass, 171.3 +/- 7.2 cm height and 25.9 +/- 3.7 kg/m2 body mass index (BMI). Anthropometric assessments of 6 skinfolds (tricipital, subscapular, suprascapular, supraspinal, abdominal, mid-thigh, and calf), waist and hip circumference were conducted, as well as IT surface temperature measurements at the measurement areas. Significant negative relationships were found between surface temperature and skinfold measurements at the subscapular, supraspinal, thigh and calf levels (p < 0.01; r =-0.39 to-0.55). The average IT temperature of the 6 folds and all individual folds IT had significant negative correlations with BMI, waist circumference, waist hip ratio, waist height ratio, and the sum of 6 skinfolds (p < 0.05; r =-0.35 to-0.65). There is a relationship between skin surface temperature and some body composition anthropometric parameters that indicate and association with CVRFs, therefore, IT may be a useful tool to complement the assessment of these parameters.