Core Temperature Measurement
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Sports Med 2002; 32 (14): 879-885 0112-1642/02/0014-0879/$25.00/0 © Adis International Limited. All rights reserved.
Core Temperature Measurement Methods and Current Insights Daniel S. Moran and Liran Mendal Military Physiology Unit, Heller Institute of Medical Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
Abstract
Climatic injuries, including hypothermia, hyperthermia and heat stroke, are common in many sports activities. Body core temperature (Tc) measurement for the sportsperson can influence individual performance and may help to prevent injuries. Monitoring internal body Tc accurately requires invasive methods of measurement. The mercury thermometer, most commonly used to measure oral temperature (Toral), has been almost exclusively the only instrument for measuring Tc since the 18th century. Rectal (Tre) and oesophageal temperatures (Toes) have been the most preferred measurement sites employed in thermoregulatory investigations. However, these measurement sites (Tre, Toes, Toral), and the methods used to measure Tc at these sites, are not convenient. Toral measurements are not always possible or accurate. Toes is undesirable because of the difficulty of inserting the thermistor, irritation to nasal passages and general subject discomfort. Tre is not suitable under many circumstances as it is labour intensive and has a prolonged response time. However, Tre remains the most accurately available method for monitoring Tc in thermal illness that occurs during sports activities. In addition, Tre and Toes require wire connections between the thermistor and the monitoring device. The purpose of this paper is to review the various existing methods of Tc measurements in order to focus on the breakthrough needed for a simple, noninvasive, universally used device for Tc measurement which is essential for preventing climatic injuries during sports events.
Complete and proper functioning of the body is dependent on maintaining a body core temperature (Tc) of between 36.5 to 38.5°C. Malfunctioning of the systems of the body occurs as the Tc increases or decreases from these values, the greater the variance, the greater the malfunction. Tc above 41.5°C or below 33.5°C causes a fast decline in the proper functioning of the body, which may result in injury and eventually death.[1] Two different mechanisms cause a rise in body Tc. The first is demonstrated by the malfunctioning of one or more of the internal systems of the body, accompanied by possible infection or contamination, resulting in fever. The
second, of a totally different nature, is demonstrated by an upset of the delicate balance between the amount of heat absorbed from the environment, metabolic heat production, and the amount of heat emitted from the body, mainly by sweating. It should be noted that despite the differences in these two mechanisms and their different treatments, the result from both cases could be fatal. Changes in the range of normal temperature have been known for years as a sign of illness.[2] Indeed, early treatment for infection
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