Running head: CARDIOVASCULAR RESPONSES TO EXERCISE

Cardiovascular Responses to Exercise During Heat and Cold Stress

Monique Czaczkowski 0488464
Lino Dixon 0487226
Joseph Macdonald 0487986
Dr. W. Melville
Lakehead University
Educ-4260-YA
February 23, 2015

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Abstract
The cardiovascular responses to exercise during cold stress followed by heat stress of
eight healthy Lakehead University students between 20 and 24 years old were examined. Of the
eight participants, two were female of whom one was sedentary and the other was active. The
remaining participants comprised of three active males and three sedentary males. Clothes were
used in order to alter conditions for the study. Under cold stress conditions, the participants wore
a cold wet t-shirt while running on a treadmill with a fan blowing on them. Under heat stress
conditions, participants wore a full sweat suit and winter jacket while running on a treadmill
beside a heat lamp. On exposure to heat stress, there was a general increase in heart rate;
however, this increase was less in active individuals than it was in sedentary individuals (p=
0.04309 (heat) and p=0.09937 (cold)). Under both cold and heat stress conditions, there were
initial increases in breathing rate; however, these were higher under cold stress and the
correlation is statistically insignificant with a p value of 0.3480 indicating that the result may
have been by chance. To improve the results obtained, further studies should be done to note the
alterations in cardiovascular function and physiological regulation in heat and cold conditions. In
addition, the experiment can be performed with taking more specific measurements so that
variables that affect rates can be known.

Introduction
Humans are homeothermic, which means that they have the capability to withstand large
variations in environmental temperatures while still maintaining an internal body temperature of
37C (Lim, Byrne, & Lee, 2012). When external temperatures are elevated, the anterior
hypothalamus is signaled to activate heat-releasing mechanisms such as sweating or vasodilation
to maintain the bodys internal temperature. On the other hand, when external temperatures are

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lowered, the posterior hypothalamus is stimulated by error signals to begin ways of conserving
body heat and raising body temperature such as vasoconstriction or shivering (Lim, Byrne, &
Lee, 2012).
In this laboratory exercise we will primarily explore the cardiovascular responses to
exercise under cold stress and heat stress. The cardiovascular system is composed of the heart
and blood vessels that distribute blood containing oxygen and nutrients to every cell of the body.
The cardiovascular responses that will be highlighted include heart rate and blood pressure.
Heart rate can be measured by checking the radial pulse and refers to the number of heart beats
per minute. The radial pulse is the best indicator of physiology of the cardiovascular system
(Chin-Minutesg et al., 2011). Blood pressure on the other hand refers to the pressure exerted by
the flow of blood through the major arteries of the body. Blood pressure is greatest during
contraction (systole) which forces blood into the arterial system and it is lowest during heart
filling (diastole). Blood pressure contributes to cardiac output as it affects the stroke volume,
which is dependent on the systolic and diastolic functions of the heart. In healthy individuals,
heat stress is said to increase the left ventricular and the left atrial systolic functions whereas
indexes of left ventricular diastolic function are preserved with heat stress despite decreases in
central blood volume and cardiac filling pressures (Brothers et al., 2009).
Robergs & Keteyian (2003) indicates that the cardiac response to exercise varies
depending on the type of exercise. Aerobic exercise requires a rich supply of oxygenated blood
to sustain active muscles. This supply is obtained by increasing the cardiac output and
proportionally pumping more blood to the active areas. In response to exercise, both the
cardiovascular system and the respiratory system experience changes to heart rate, body
temperature, respiration rates, and blood pressure. The respiratory system works along with the

CARDIOVASCULAR RESPONSES TO EXERCISE

circulatory system in order to achieve its primary role of oxygen distribution to all cells and
carbon dioxide removal from all the cells of the body. During moderate aerobic exercise, the
human body has an increased metabolic demand resulting in an increase in heart rate, breathing
rate, and tidal volume.
The aim of this laboratory exercise is to examine and compare the effect temperature has
on heart rate, respiration, and body temperature in response to moderate exercise. These effects
will be noted by exposing participants to a cold stress environment in which they will wear a
cold wet t-shirt and have a fan blowing on them followed by a heat stress environment where
they will be wearing a full sweat suit and winter jacket while positioned beside a heat lamp. It is
hypothesized that if the temperature of the experimental setting increases, then breathing rate,
body temperature, and heart rate would increase during exercise in both sedentary and active
participants. It is also hypothesized that if the temperature of the experimental setting decreases,
breathing rate and heart rate will increase while body temperature will decrease. It is predicted
that the sedentary participants will have greater alterations in cardiovascular responses in both
the heat and cold settings compared to their active counterparts (Crandal & Gonzailez-Alonso,
2010).

Hypothesis
The two external stimuli will change the way the internal body systems act, but in
different forms. Sedentary individuals will have a more rapid heart rate, respiratory rate, and a
difficult time maintaining homeostasis.
Heat Stress: Participants heart rate and respiratory rate will be higher compared to cold stress.
Body temperature will increase higher than average body temperature (37C).

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Cold Stress: Participants heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature will be lower than that
when participating during heat stress.

Methods
Informed consent of the participants was obtained before the start of the experiment at
Lakehead University. Participants were selected between the ages of 20 and 24 to reflect
university-aged individuals. Participants who were physically active three or more times per
week were used as our active participants while those who were less than that were classified
as sedentary. Throughout this experiment heart rate, body temperature, and respiration rate will
be monitored for each individual participant under heat and cold stress conditions. The
participants showed up between the hours of two and five pm on November 29th, 2014 (cold) and
then again on December 6th, 2014 (heat) to take part in the study. Participants positioned
themselves on a treadmill and the experimenters attached the Polar Heart Rate monitor under the
participants clothing above the xiphoid process. At rest, the heart rate (Polar HR monitor), body
temperature (taken orally with a thermometer), and respiration (breaths/min counted by
participant) were measured and recorded in the appropriate chart. Heart Rate (HR) was obtained
using the reading on the Polar HR monitor on the participant, temperature using a thermometer,
and respiration was manually counted. A towel and a t-shirt were soaked for two minutes in cold
water (17C) with excess water removed and placed on the participant along with a fan pointed at
them. After a five-minute dynamic warm-up (see Appendix A), the participant then ran at level 6
on the treadmill for five minutes (see Appendix B). At two and a half minutes and at five
minutes, heart rate, temperature, and respiration were measured and recorded. These variables
were measured again immediately following the exercise; one minute into recovery, three

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minutes into recovery, and a final measure at five minutes into recovery. During the recovery
phase, participants were led through a cool down (see Appendix C).
The heat stress test was conducted the following week. The participant was clothed in a
full sweat suit and winter jacket with a heat lamp pointed in their direction. Same as the cold
stress test the participants HR, temperature, and respiration rate were measured at rest, two and a
half minutes into the exercise, and post-exercise (one minute into recovery, three minutes into
recovery, and finally five minutes into recovery). With the data collected from this experiment,
graphs for HR, temperature, and respiration rate were produced to compare differences or
similarities in these variables under cold or heat stress over time. A standard t test was used to
determine statistical significance (p<0.05) along with standard deviation.

Results
The results show that when comparing the heart rates of sedentary participants to active
participants during the cold stress trial (Figure 1), the sedentary participants exhibited a higher
and more rapid increase in HR than the active participants, before and during the exercise.
However, the decrease in HR following the exercise was faster for sedentary participants than in
the active participants who exhibited less variation in their HR levels. In Figure 2, the heart rates
of the sedentary participants were compared to the active participants under the heat stress test.
The graph shows similar results to Figure 1, with a rapid increase in HR for the sedentary
participants, and a slower increase in HR for the active participants.
In Figure 3, the average body temperatures of the participants under heat stress were
compared to the average body temperatures under cold stress. From the graph it can be observed
that the heat stress did not influence the body temperatures of the participants during the

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exercise. Only after the trial was an increase in body temperature observed. The average
temperatures under cold stress showed a more drastic transition from rest to during the exercise
when the cold t-shirt and towel were placed on the participants. Following the exercise, when the
cold stressors were removed, the body temperatures of the participants showed a gradual increase
to a normal temperature of approximately 35.5C.
In Figure 4, the respiration rates (breaths/min) of the participants under cold or heat stress
were compared and the results show that both stressors caused an increase in respiration during
the exercise with a decrease following the exercise. The rates of increase and decrease in
respiration for the heat and the cold are very similar and were found to be insignificant in the
study.

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Average Heart Rates of Active and Sedentary Participants (Cold Trial) vs. Time
200
180
160
140
120
100
Average Heart Rate (beats/min)

HR Sedentary

80

HR Active

60
40
20
0

Time of Test (min)

Figure 1. The graph represents the average heart rate (beats/min) of active participants and
sedentary participants under cold stress conditions. The error bars show standard deviation (5%)
and a statistically insignificant p value of 0.09937.

CARDIOVASCULAR RESPONSES TO EXERCISE

Average Heart Rate of Active and Sedentary Participants (Heat Trial) vs. Time
200
180
160
140
120
100
Average Heart Rate (beats/mins)

HR Sedentary

80

HR Active

60
40
20
0

Time of Test (mins)

Figure 2. The graph represents the average heart rate (beats/min) of active participants and
sedentary participants under heat stress conditions. The error bars show standard deviation (5%)
and a statistically significant p value of 0.04309.

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Average Body Temperature During Heat and Cold vs. Time

36.5
36
35.5
35
Temperature (Heat)
Average Body Temperature (oC) 34.5

Temperature(Cold)

34
33.5

Time of Test (min)

Figure 3. The graph represents the average body temperature of active and sedentary participants
under cold stress conditions and heat stress conditions. The error bars show standard deviation
(5%) and a statistically significant p value of 0.03428.

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Average Rate of Respiration During Heat and Cold vs. Time

45
40
35
30
25

Average Rate of Respiration (# breaths/min)

20

Respiration (Heat)

15

Respiration (Cold)

10
5
0

Time of Test (min)

Figure 4. The graph represents the average rate of respiration (breaths/min) for active and
sedentary participants under cold stress conditions and heat stress conditions. The error bars
show standard deviation (5%) and a statistically insignificant p value of 0.3480.

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Discussion
Robergs and Keteyian (2003) indicate that the cardiac response to exercise varies
depending on the type of exercise. Thus, we find it important to emphasize that the results
obtained are in relation to dynamic lower-body exercise.
Heart Rate
A persons heart rate correlates with the individuals need for oxygen. During exercise
there is an increase of oxygen needed by the muscles and thus the heart rate increases in an effort
to pump more blood throughout the body to reach these muscles faster. The results obtained in
our studies were in support of this, as the heart rate of all participants increased in response to
exercise despite the stress condition (Figure 1 and Figure 2). The increase in heart rate is
attributed to the reduction in venous return, stroke volume, cardiac output, and the increase in
atriovenous (a-v) O2 change, (Robergs & Keteyian, 2003). As depicted in Figure 1 and Figure 2,
the average increase in heart rate of the participants was greater in the cold stress test than in the
heat stress test. These results are suggestive of oxygen requirement in the muscle tissues being
higher in cold environments than in warmer conditions. Additionally, vasoconstriction
(particularly in the extremities) is more likely to occur in colder conditions. In response to both
of these physiological changes, the heart is required to pump faster to supply the working
muscles with more blood and oxygen.
Another observation was the difference between the heart rates of our sedentary
participants and our active participants. In the cold test, the sedentary individuals had a higher
heart rate at rest, during, and immediately after exercise. It was also noted that these individuals
had a more drastic increase in heart rate during and post exercise (89.33 beats/minute at rest,

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180.3 beats/minute at 2.5 minutes during exercise, 157.0 beats/minute at 5.0 minutes during
exercise, 107.0 beats/minute at 1.0 minute into recovery, 91.67 beats/minute at 3.0 minutes into
recovery, and 92.33 beats/minute at 5.0 minutes into recovery) compare to the active participants
(74.50 beats/minute at rest, 121.8 beats/minute at 2.5 minutes during exercise, 126.7
beats/minute at 5.0 minutes during exercise, 109.5 beats/minute at 1.0 minute into recovery,
98.00 beats/minute at 3.0 minutes into recovery, and 95.25 beats/minute at 5.0 minutes into
recovery). Additionally, unlike their more active peers, who had a gradual recovery to resting
heart rate, the heart rate of these individuals appeared to have taken a significant dip within three
and a half minutes post exercise (Figure 1). In the heat test, despite a higher resting heart rate in
the active participants, the sedentary participants displayed a more drastic increase in HR during
and post exercise (81.50 beats/minute at rest, 157.0 beats/minute at 2.5 minutes during exercise,
171.5 beats/minute at 5.0 minutes during exercise, 128.0 beats/minute at 1.0 minute into
recovery, 118.3 beats/minute at 3.0 minutes into recovery, and 99.33 beats/minute at 5.0 minutes
into recovery) compare to active participants (90.33 beats/minute at rest, 133.7 beats/minute at
2.5 minutes during exercise, 119.8 beats/minute at 5.0 minutes during exercise, 106.8
beats/minute at 1.0 minute into recovery, 101.8 beats/minute at 3.0 minutes into recovery, and
96.00 beats/minute at 5.0 minutes into recovery) (Figure 2). This gives rise to consideration of
the individuals fitness level. Robergs & Keteyian (2003) indicate that the stroke volume of
active participants is greater than that of sedentary individuals, which requires less heart beats to
supply the muscles with the needed oxygenated blood.
Body Temperature
Exercise during the cold stress caused the average body temperatures to decline
drastically from 35.96C to 34.67C (Figure 3). The average body temperature gradually

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increased post exercise and during recovery, stabilizing around a normal body temperature of
35.5C. In response to heat stress, the body temperature during and immediately post exercise,
remained stable at 35.5C. As illustrated in Figure 3, the influence of this stressor during exercise
appeared to be minimal. There was a slight elevation during recovery (three to six minutes post
exercise) to approximately 36C, before returning to normal temperature (Figure 3). The bodys
ability to maintain a normal homeostatic temperature is due to sweating, which acts as a
mechanism for cooling down the body. The more energy exerted by the participants, the more
sweating occurred in order for their body temperature to remain stable. During exercise the core
temperature can be influenced by the external temperature, impacting an individuals
effectiveness for an increased evaporative heat loss (Robergs & Keteyian, 2003). Our results
indicate that a cold external condition can cause a greater reduction in core temperature, and that
more internal heat loss occurs as the difference in skin and environmental temperature increases.
On the other hand, during extreme heat the bodys response is a heat dissipating approach that
involves sweating and cutaneous vasodilation. This heat loss mechanism enables the body to
maintain a constant body temperature during exercise and explains the elevation post exercise as
the body is still dispelling heat; as it cools and the vessels re-constrict (Robergs & Keteyian,
2003).
Respiration Rate
In both instances, the results indicate a significant increase in rate as an initial respiratory
response, followed by a more gradual decrease (Figure 4) and the cold stressor caused a slightly
higher increase. Robert & Daniel (2002) report similar results; however, unlike the other
responses it does not appear to be a significant difference. Burton, Stokes & Hall (2004)
attribute the increase in respiration/ventilation rate to motor center activity and afferent impulses

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from the bodys muscles. They were unclear as to the exact mechanisms surrounding this
response. Based on the results, it was inferred that external temperature conditions are not the
factors that significantly influence an individuals respiration rate. With consideration to the
respiration process itself, which involves the exchange of gases within the body, it is plausible
that this rate of exchange is independent of external temperature.

Safety Considerations
There were many safety precautions taken into consideration to ensure that there were no
injuries to the participants during testing. Each participant had a treadmill emergency stop cord
attached to him or her during the running portion to stop the treadmill if the participant was tired
and/or had the risk of falling. Also, one researcher stood behind the treadmill to protect the
participants incase they could not keep up to the pace and risked falling backwards. Each
participant was asked to wear a pair of athletic or running shoes that had proper ankle support,
the correct size to the participants foot, and some tread to prevent slipping.
Participants were also asked to wear comfortable clothing for athletics, but not to baggy
which could increase the risk of tripping over clothing (I.e. no jeans, but proper fitting track
pants or shorts). The researchers made sure there was proper lighting to ensure participants
knew where they were stepping, and the treadmill track was dry and free of clutter, so
participants had a stable surface. Also, water bottles were near by if the participant felt
dehydrated, and they were reminded they could stop running at any point if they felt
uncomfortable. Participants with excess jewelry were asked to take it off and participants with
long hair were asked to put it in a ponytail to decrease the risk of it catching on the treadmill.

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Conclusion
Experimental error in manually counting the rate of respiration and measuring heart rate
could have resulted in errors when averaging each of these variables. Another source of error
could have been the timing of the tests following the exercise, as they were not exactly on
schedule and took longer to measure than anticipated.
For the controls, the intensity and duration of exercise were held constant for all the
participants. Limitations were the anticipation of exercise, rapid heart rate increases/decreases,
and the participants may have been consciously controlling or regulating their breathing rate. To
improve future research, this research project can be done with an apparatus used to determine
breathing rate/oxygen consumption to achieve more accurate results. Further, research into cold
and heat stress should be implemented as the results show differences in physical conditions;
however, the length of the exercise was not long enough for the participant to be in a fully
aerobic state indicative of endurance training. Also, further experimentation into the fitness level
and body composition (muscle mass and body fat) as it influences these variables under cold and
heat stresses would provide greater insight into the comparison of the cardiovascular systems of
active and sedentary participants.
The researchers conclude that the two extreme external temperatures affected internal
body systems in different ways than hypothesized. During cold stress, the respiratory rate was
higher and there was a greater range in heart rate as compared to heat stress. In both cold and
heat stresses, sedentary individuals had a more rapid heart rate, higher respiratory rate, and a
difficult time maintaining homeostasis. Also, the cold and heat stresses put a great deal of
pressure on sedentary individuals, making it more difficult during exercise and recovery. The
cold stress also had a greater affect on respiratory and heart rate, contrary to what was

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hypothesized. During the heat stress, the body temperature did not increase higher than
expected, maintaining average body temperature throughout exercise. This research project has
shown that given multiple variables and two scenarios that are different, hypotheses can be
proven wrong when testing the final result.

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References
Brothers, R. M., Bhella, P. S., Shibata, S., Wingo, J. E., Levine, B. D., & Crandall, C. G. (2009).
Cardiac systolic and diastolic function during whole body heat stress. American Journal
of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 296(4), H1150-H1156.
Burton, D. A., Stokes, K., & Hall, G. M. (2004). Physiological effects of exercise. Continuing
Education in Anaesthesia, Critical Care & Pain, 4(6), 185-188.
Chin-Minutesg, H., Hsein-Cheh., C., Shung-Te, S. K., Tsai-Chung, L., Ching-Chuan, W.,
Chiachung, C., Yin-Tzu, L., & Fun-Jou, C. (2011). Radial pressure pulse and heart rate
variability in heat and cold stressed humans. Evidence-Based Complementary &
Alternative Medicine, 2011.
Crandall, C. G., & GonzlezAlonso, J. (2010). Cardiovascular function in the heatstressed
human. Acta Physiologica, 199(4), 407-423.
Lim, C. L., Byrne, C., & Lee, J. K. (2008). Human thermoregulation and measurement of body
temperature in exercise and clinical settings. Annals Academy of Medicine Singapore,
37(4), 347.
Robergs, R. A., & Keteyian, S. J. (2003). Fundamentals of exercise physiology: For fitness,
performance, and health. (2nd ed). Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

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Appendix A
Dynamic Warm-up

Walk/Light jog on treadmill for 3 min. on level 2

High knees on the spot for 20 sec.
High heels on the spot for 20 sec.
Lunges on the spot for 20 sec.
High kicks for 20 sec.
Standing quad stretch for 20 sec.
Circle arm stretch for 20 sec.

Appendix B

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Level 6 on the Treadmill

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Appendix C
Cool Down

Walk on treadmill for 2 min. on stage 1

Static Hamstring Stretch (hold for 10 sec.)
Static Quadriceps Stretch (hold for 10 sec.)
Static Groin Stretch (hold for 10 sec.)
Static Arm Stretch (hold for 10 sec.)

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