Athlete’s Skin
July 28th, 2010 | 
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The skin, though a priori it seems a simple body cladding, which protects us from light, heat and infection, plays important roles.
In an adult, occupying an area of about 2 m2, its thickness is very variable, from 0.5 mm on the eyelids, to 4 mm in the heel. Excluding the lowest layer, weighs about 4 kilos. An organ as unknown as important in sport.
The sport is a rise in temperature, if we add solar radiation, the need to regulate body temperature. The skin and thermoregulation is an important aspect that every athlete should take into account both health and performance.
The sport, a true miracle for the skin. The skin of those athletes is often more healthy and protected, the aging process is slowed, thanks to the practice of exercise.
- The most frequently remodeled its constituent elements, collagen (protein fiber that gives firmness to the skin), elastin (responsible for elasticity) and glycosaminoglycans, (moisture retentive).
- The increase in skin blood flow produced by exercise, provides nutrients and oxygen, also cleans the dermis of metabolites.
- Sweat carries toxins and dirt from the pores and remove dead cells from the skin.
The training and frequent showers often alter the protective layer of the skin layer is called hydro, this can affect the properties of the skin. After one session, should wash the skin with warm water and a neutral pH soap and apply moisturizers.
Temperature regulation
The body attempts to maintain a constant temperature of about 37 ยบ C. In physical exercise, body temperature increases. To avoid this increase, the body releases sweat through our skin, its intention is to try? Cool? because the evaporation of water in the sweat has a cooling effect to the skin.
If we do not have proper clothes that permit perspiration, there is a greenhouse, the temperature continues to rise and the body sweat while emitting continuous with the intention of cooling, only achieved a high condensation at high temperatures that can only lead to problems, from fatigue, heat stroke and even death.
As a curiosity, women have a lower transpiration than men, therefore they sweat less. This has its advantages and disadvantages in the sport, men are at greater risk of dehydration by increased sweating but women lose in cooling capacity.
The capillaries, most abundant in athletes are responsible for providing nutrients and oxygen to the dermis. Also in cold weather, these blood vessels constrict to prevent blood to cool and the heat, expand to promote heat loss.
Epidermis. Contact with the outside. Your cells are constantly regenerating, within approximately 30 days of the epidermis has been completely remade. In athletes, this period is shortened by continuous wear of this layer.
Dermis: consists of connective tissue, is equipped with a high vascularity and sensory innervation. During sports practice, this is a layer that performs more functions, reports of tension, movement, temperature and on the other hand its large number of capillaries provides nutrients and water as an authentic radiator that regulates temperature.
The sweat gland flows into the pore, controlled by the autonomic nervous system, are responsible for regulating body temperature emitting sweat.
Hypodermis: With a different thickness along the body, is composed of fatty tissue has a dual role, first thermal insulation and partly as a store of energy in long distance sports.
The sebaceous glands produce an oily secretion which forms a protective film, forming a cloak-fatty acid. When the temperature drops, this secretion is stronger thus hindering the evaporation of sweat which contribute to maintaining body temperature.
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