Sex-Related Differences in Skin Temperature Responses Induced by Small-Sided Games Assessed Using Infrared Thermography.
- 1Management, Administration and Sports Communication Research Group (GESTAS), Faculty of Physical Education, Recreation and Sports, Politécnico Colombiano Jaime Isaza Cadavid, Medellín 050022, Colombia.
- 2Institute of Physical Education, University of Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia.
Abstract
Introduction: Infrared thermography (IRT) enables non-invasive assessment of exercise-induced changes in skin temperature (Tsk); however, evidence on sex-related responses to soccer-specific exercise remains limited. This study compared Tsk responses and bilateral thermal asymmetry between women and men soccer players following a small-sided game (SSG). Methods: This repeated-measures experimental study included 46 university soccer players (22 women, 24 men), who completed a standardised 4 vs. 4 SSG. Thermographic images were obtained before (Pre), approximately 5 min after exercise (Post), and 10 min after the Post assessment (Post_10). Tsk was assessed in eight lower-limb regions of interest (ROIs). Linear mixed-effects models examined Sex × Time effects, with participant included as a random intercept. Results: Significant Sex × Time interactions were observed across all eight ROIs (Holm-adjusted p < 0.001). Women showed greater increases in Tsk than men from Pre to Post (between-sex differences: 0.86-1.55 °C) and greater net changes from Pre to Post_10 (1.16-1.70 °C). No between-sex differences were observed for the change from Post to Post_10 (all Holm-adjusted p > 0.05). Bilateral thermal asymmetry showed no significant Sex × Time interactions (all p ≥ 0.390). Conclusions: Women and men exhibited different Tsk responses following the SSG, particularly at the Post assessment and in the net change from Pre to Post_10, whereas changes during the 10 min recovery interval were comparable between sexes. Bilateral thermal asymmetry also showed comparable temporal patterns. These findings highlight the importance of considering sex and assessment timing when interpreting exercise-induced Tsk responses using IRT.
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BibTeX
@article{ortega2026sexrelated,
title = {{Sex-Related Differences in Skin Temperature Responses Induced by Small-Sided Games Assessed Using Infrared Thermography.}},
author = {Marvyn Moya Ortega and Estefanía Estrada Ocampo and Juan David Fernández Villada and John Garcia Tamayo and Diego Gómez Bedoya and Angel Martínez Del Águila and Walter Gómez-Sánchez},
journal = {Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/jfmk11040397},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42924676},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Sex-Related Differences in Skin Temperature Responses Induced by Small-Sided Games Assessed Using Infrared Thermography.
AU - Marvyn Moya Ortega
AU - Estefanía Estrada Ocampo
AU - Juan David Fernández Villada
AU - John Garcia Tamayo
AU - Diego Gómez Bedoya
AU - Angel Martínez Del Águila
AU - Walter Gómez-Sánchez
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology
DO - 10.3390/jfmk11040397
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42924676
AB - Introduction: Infrared thermography (IRT) enables non-invasive assessment of exercise-induced changes in skin temperature (Tsk); however, evidence on sex-related responses to soccer-specific exercise remains limited. This study compared Tsk responses and bilateral thermal asymmetry between women and men soccer players following a small-sided game (SSG). Methods: This repeated-measures experimental study included 46 university soccer players (22 women, 24 men), who completed a standardised 4 vs. 4 SSG. Thermographic images were obtained before (Pre), approximately 5 min after exercise (Post), and 10 min after the Post assessment (Post_10). Tsk was assessed in eight lower-limb regions of interest (ROIs). Linear mixed-effects models examined Sex × Time effects, with participant included as a random intercept. Results: Significant Sex × Time interactions were observed across all eight ROIs (Holm-adjusted p < 0.001). Women showed greater increases in Tsk than men from Pre to Post (between-sex differences: 0.86-1.55 °C) and greater net changes from Pre to Post_10 (1.16-1.70 °C). No between-sex differences were observed for the change from Post to Post_10 (all Holm-adjusted p > 0.05). Bilateral thermal asymmetry showed no significant Sex × Time interactions (all p ≥ 0.390). Conclusions: Women and men exhibited different Tsk responses following the SSG, particularly at the Post assessment and in the net change from Pre to Post_10, whereas changes during the 10 min recovery interval were comparable between sexes. Bilateral thermal asymmetry also showed comparable temporal patterns. These findings highlight the importance of considering sex and assessment timing when interpreting exercise-induced Tsk responses using IRT.
SN - 2411-5142
ER -