Aim: 

The physiological and bio-mechanical in vivo properties of human skin are important markers of healthy skin. The aim of this study is to determine the skin elasticity, to estimate the physiological correlation between skin deformation and skin parameters during a physical training program.

Methods: 

Authors analyzed a total of 22 volunteers, aged 15-65 years and 10 mechanical parameters were determined before and after aerobic sport practicing. The activity of spinning practitioners and soccer players is monitored to determine skin elasticity. We tested lipid peroxidaxion products in the blood of these athletic subjects and the haemolysis at several times of red blood cell (RBC) as function of the dermis oxidative stress. The skin mechanical parameters analyzed by Skin Meter software1.3 and the biochemical determinations are made with JASCO V-630 spectrophotometer. The variation of the erythrocyte morphology is evaluated by May-Grunwald Giemsa method.

Results: 

Soccer players and spinning practitioners show delayed distension and viscoelastic-to-elastic ratio as the most sensitive parameters. The data of elasticity measurements are confirmed by MDA, haemolysis data with an increased ROS production after exercise and by the evaluation of RBCs morphology.

Conclusion: 

The non-invasive measurements of skin elasticity are appropriate for an objective mechanical evaluation and in future for the experimental support to biochemical skin studies.