Correlations Between Anthropometric Measurements and Skin Temperature, at Rest and After a CrossFit^® Training Workout

Studies have shown that subcutaneous fat thickness, muscle thickness, body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage are all correlated with skin surface temperature (ST). It is known that anthropometric measures such as waist circumference (WC), Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) and BMI are related to body fat percentage and that they can be useful tools to predict it. In this sense, the aim of this study was to analyze correlations between anthropometric measures and skin temperature, at rest and after a CrossFit^® training workout. The sample was composed of 19 CrossFit^® training practitioners (12 males and 7 females) with a 3-month experience minimum. Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient among anthropometric measures (BMI, WC, WHR) and all variables of temperature was calculated. Our results showed that, in resting conditions, waist circumference, BMI and WHR are not closely related with ST of limbs, thorax, abdomen and the back. After exercise, the most significant correlations found for men, except for one, were positive, while all significant correlations found for women were negative. It can be concluded that the correlations between anthropometric measurements and skin temperature are improved after physical exercise. The anthropometric measures studied (BMI, WC, WHR) showed moderate correlations with different body regions after exercise, in male volunteers. For females, WHR was the measure that best correlated with skin temperature after exercise, presenting strong correlations with 10 of the 26 ROIs studied.