Regional skin temperatures at submaximal work loads on the bicycle ergometer

Skin blood flow is regulated by a complex system of active vasoconstriction and vasodilatation mechanisms. The purpose of this investigation was to characterize the regional skin temperature response to exercise on a bicycle ergometer at constant cadence and workloads of 40%, 55%, 70%, 80%, and 90% of maximum heart rate. It was found that the temperature profile was dependent upon both the region and workload. This information has the importance of improving our understanding of the physiological response to bicycle ergometry and factors important to optimal endurance work performance.