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Distribution of Skin Thermal Sensitivity

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Measuring the Skin

Abstract

The chapter explores measurement techniques to investigate thermal sensitivity of the skin across numerous locations over the body. Different definitions of thermal sensitivity are provided which will inform the method of stimulation. Techniques of stimulating the skin are proposed (e.g., thermal peltier probe, water-perfused suit, or patches), and temperature, surface area, and duration are discussed. Sensitivity can be assessed immediately (transient) or after a given period of time (steady state), and data can be presented in a variety of forms. The chapter proposed presenting the data as body maps to add clarity for the reader and examples are provided.

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Abbreviations

ΔTsk :

Change in skin temperature (°C)

(EIA):

Exercise-induced analgesia

RH:

Relative humidity (%)

s:

Seconds

TRPV:

Transient receptor potential vanilloid

TS:

Transient response

Tsk :

Skin temperature (°C)

VAS:

Visual analogue scales

VO2max :

Maximal aerobic capacity (ml·kg−1·min−1)

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Sport & Exercise Science, University of Worcester, Henwick Grove, Worcester, WR26AJ, UK

    Nicola Gerrett

  2. Institute for Health and Behaviour, University of Luxembourg, Route de Diekirch, 7220, Walferdange, Luxembourg

    Yacine Ouzzahra

  3. Environmental Ergonomic Research Centre, Loughborough Design School, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE113TU, UK

    George Havenith

Authors
  1. Nicola Gerrett
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  2. Yacine Ouzzahra
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  3. George Havenith
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicola Gerrett .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Medecine Vasculaire Lab. Ingénierie et de Biologie Cutanées, CHU Besancon Service Dermatologie et, Besancon, France

    Philippe Humbert

  2. San Francisco, California, USA

    Howard Maibach

  3. Department of Dermatology, Saint Jacques University Hospital, Besançon, France

    Ferial Fanian

  4. Univ. Besançon Dépt. Dermatologie, Besançon, France

    Pierre Agache

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Gerrett, N., Ouzzahra, Y., Havenith, G. (2015). Distribution of Skin Thermal Sensitivity. In: Humbert, P., Maibach, H., Fanian, F., Agache, P. (eds) Measuring the Skin. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26594-0_72-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26594-0_72-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-26594-0

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