LECTURE 2: (Chapter 12)

Temperature Regulation

PHYSIOLOGY OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

Adapted from
Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance, 5th edition
Scott K. Powers & Edward T. Howley

Presentation revised and updated by

MOHD SANI MADON (PhD)
ALI MD NADZALAN
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris 2015 (c) 2004 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Objectives
Define term homeotherm
Present an overview of heat balance during
exercise
Discuss the concept of core temperature
List the principle means of involuntarily
increasing heat production
Define four processes by which the body can
lose heat during exercise
Discuss the role of hypothalamus as the
bodys thermostat

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Objectives
Explain the thermal events that occur during
exercise in both a cool/moderate & hot/humid
environment
List physiological adaptations that occur during
acclimatization to heat
Describe physiological responses to a cold
environment
Discuss physiological changes that occur in
response to cold acclimatization

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Introduction
Animals that maintain a rather constant core
temperature are called homeotherms.
Increase of body temperature above 45 may destroy
protein structures of enzyme, resulting in death, while
decrease of body temperature below 34 may cause
slowed metabolism and abnormal cardiac function
(arrhythmias).
Body is equipped with nervous and hormonal mechanism
to accomplish thermal regulation.

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 An Overview of Heat Balance
In order to
maintain a constant
core temperature,
heat loss must
match heat gain
Temperature varies
within body.
Thermal gradient
exist between body
core to skin surface
Fig 12.1
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 During exercise, body temperature is
regulated by making adjustments in
the amount of heat that is lost.

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Temperature Measurement
During Exercise
Deep-body (core) temperature
Thermocouples or thermistors
Rectum, ear (tympanic; good estimate of
brain temperature), and esophagus
Skin temperature
Thermistors at various locations
Calculate mean skin temperature
Eg. Ts = (Thead + Tchest + Tforearm + Tthigh +
Tcalf + Tabdomen + Tback) 7

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Overview of heat production /
heat loss
Hypothalamus is the temperature
control center.

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 Heat Production

Voluntary
Exercise
Involuntary
Shivering
Action of hormones
Thyroxine
Catecholamines
Fig 12.2
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Heat production cont
Shivering is the primary means of increasing heat
production during cold exposure. Maximal shivering can
increase the body heat production by ~5 x resting
value.
Release of thyroxine from thyroid gland increase cellular
heat production.
Increase catecholamines (epinephrine & norepinephrine)
cause increase the rate of cellular metabolism.
The effects of thyroxine and catecholamines is called
nonshivering thermogenesis.

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Heat loss
Radiation
Conduction
Convection
Evaporation

Radiation, conduction and convection require a

temperature gradient to exist between skin and
environment.

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Heat Loss
Radiation
Transfer of heat via infrared rays
No physical contact between surfaces
60% heat loss at rest (in 21C temperature)
However, vice versa happen if environment
temperature greater than skin temperature
Conduction
Heat loss due to contact with another
surface

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Heat Loss

Convection
Form of conductive heat loss
Heat transferred to air or water
Eg. Fan, wind, water (25 x cooling compared to
air with same temperature)

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Heat Loss
Evaporation
Heat transferred via water (sweat) on skin
surface
Evaporation rate depends on:
Temperature and relative humidity
Convective currents around the body
Amount of skin surface exposed
25% heat loss at rest
Most important means during exercise
Body loses 0.58 kcal heat/L sweat evaporated
1 L sweat results in heat loss of 580 kcal

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 When water gains sufficient heat, it is converted to
gas (water vapor), taking the heat away from the
body.
Evaporation occurs due to vapor pressure gradient
between skin and air. (skin > air)
High RH reduce vapor pressure gradient between skin
& environment and thus will reduce evaporation.
Exercise in hot/high humidity results in useless water
loss.
Remember.. Evaporation is the one that cools the
skin, not just depending on sweating.

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A Closer Look 12.1 Overview of Heat Production/Heat Loss

Calculation of Heat Loss via

Evaporation
Evaporation of 1,000 ml of sweat results in 580 kcal of
heat loss
Example:
20 min cycling at VO2 = 2.0 Lmin1 (10 kcalmin1)
20% efficient = 80% energy lost as heat
Total energy expenditure (time x energy)
20 min x 10 kcal/min = 200 kcal
Total heat produced (TEE X energy inefficient)
200 kcal x 0.80 = 160 kcal
Evaporation to prevent heat gain (total heat heat loss)
160 kcal 580 kcal/L = 0.276 L

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 Overview of Heat Production/Heat Loss

Heat Storage in the Body

During Exercise
Heat produced that is not lost is
stored in body tissues
Will raise body temperature
Body heat gain during exercise = heat produced heat loss

Amount of heat required to raise body

temperature
Specific heat of human body is 0.83
kcal/kg
Heat required to raise body temp 1C = specific heat x body mass

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 Overview of Heat Production/Heat Loss
A Closer Look 12.2
Calculation of Body Temperature Increase
During Exercise
60-kg runner, 40 min at VO2 = 3.0 Lmin1 (15 kcalmin1)
20% efficient, can lose 60% of heat produced
Pre-exercise body temperature = 37C
Total energy expenditure (time x energy)
40 min x 15 kcal/min = 600 kcal
Total heat produced (TEE X energy inefficient)
600 kcal x 0.80 = 480 kcal
Total heat stored (total heat x heat stored)
480 kcal x 0.40 = 192 kcal
Amount of heat storage to increase body temperature by 1C
(specific heat x BW)
0.83 kcal/kg x 60 kg = 49.8 kcal
Increase in body temperature during exercise (THS SHstorage )
192 kcal/49.8 kcal/C = 3.86C
Post-exercise body temperature (pre C + increase C )
37C + 3.86C = 40.86C

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Heat Exchange During Exercise

Fig 12.3
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 The Bodys ThermostatHypothalamus

The Bodys Thermostat

Hypothalamus
Anterior hypothalamus
Responds to increased core temperature
Commencement of sweating
Increased evaporative heat loss
Increased skin blood flow
Allows increased heat loss
Posterior hypothalamus
Responds to decreased core temperature
Shivering and increased norepinephrine release
Increased heat production
Decreased skin blood flow
Decreased heat loss

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Responses to Heat Stress

Fig 12.4
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Responses to Cold Stress

Fig 12.5
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 The Bodys ThermostatHypothalamus

Shift in Hypothalamic Set Point

Due to Fever
Fever
Increased body temperature above
normal
Due to pyrogens
Proteins or toxins from bacteria
Change in set point of hypothalamus

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Heat Exchange During Exercise
Metabolic energy (heat) production
stimulates heat loss
Evaporative heat loss
Most important means of heat loss
Convective heat loss
Small contribution
Radiative heat loss
Small role in total heat loss

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Heat Exchange During Exercise

Fig 12.6
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Body Temperature Increase
During Exercise

Increase in body temperature with

work rate
Linear across wide range of
temperatures
Linear for both arm and leg exercise
Temperature proportional to active
muscle mass

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Body Temperature During Arm
and Leg Exercise

Fig 12.7
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Heat Exchange During Exercise
Effect of Ambient Temperature
As ambient temperature increases:
Heat production remains constant
Lower convective and radiant heat loss
(due to decrease in skin to room temperature gradient)
Higher evaporative heat loss

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Heat Exchange During Exercise
Effect of Ambient Temperature

Fig 12.8
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Heat Exchange During Exercise
Effect of Exercise Intensity
With increased exercise intensity
Heat production increases
Higher net heat loss
Lower convective and radiant heat loss
(due to constant skin to environment temperature
gradient)
Higher evaporative heat loss

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Heat Exchange During Exercise
Effect of Exercise Intensity

Fig 12.9
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Exercise in Hot/Humid
Environments
Inability to lose heat
Higher core temperature
Higher sweat rate
Can result in:
Impaired performance
Hyperthermia

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Core
Temperature
and Sweat
Rate During
Exercise in
Heat/Humidity

Fig 12.10 (c) 2004 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Clinical Applications 12.1 Exercise in the Heat

Exercise-Related Heat Injuries

Can Be Prevented
Guidelines
Exercise during the coolest part of the day
Minimize exercise intensity and duration on
hot/humid days
Expose a maximal surface area of skin for
evaporation
Provide frequent rests/cool-down breaks
Avoid dehydration with frequent water
breaks
Rest/cool-down breaks should be in the
shade and offer circulating, cool air

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The Winning Edge 12.1 Exercise in the Heat

Prevention of Dehydration During

Exercise
Dehydration of 12% body weight can impair
performance
Guidelines
Hydrate prior to performance
400800 ml fluid within three hours prior to
exercise
Consume 150300 ml fluid every 1520 min
Volume adjusted based on environmental
conditions
Ensure adequate rehydration
Consume equivalent of 150% weight loss
1 kg body weight = 1.5 L fluid replacement
Monitor urine color
Sports drinks are superior to water for rehydration

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 Exercise in the Heat

Exercise Performance in a
Hot Environment
Can result in muscle fatigue and
impaired performance
Reduced mental drive for motor
performance
Reduced muscle blood flow
Accelerated glycogen metabolism
Increased lactic acid production
Increased free radical production

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 Exercise in the Heat

Gender and Age Differences in

Thermoregulation
Women less heat tolerant than men
Lower sweat rates
Higher percent body fat
Age itself does not limit ability to
thermoregulate
Decreased thermotolerance with age due
to:
Deconditioning with age
Lack of heat acclimatization

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 Exercise in the Heat

Heat Acclimatization
Requires exercise in hot environment
Adaptations occur within 714 days
Increased plasma volume
Earlier onset of sweating
Higher sweat rate
Reduced sodium chloride loss in sweat
Reduced skin blood flow
Increased cellular heat shock proteins
Acclimatization lost within a few days of
inactivity

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Research Focus 12.2 Exercise in the Heat

Can Sweat Clothing Promote Heat

Acclimatization?
Training in cool climates using sweat clothing
Alternative to traveling to warmer climate to
acclimatize
Raises body temperature
Does it work?
Yes, but not as effective as training in
hot/humid environment
Increases sweat rate and body water loss
Not effective for fat loss
Risk of hyperthermia and heat injury

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 Exercise in a Cold Environment

Enhanced heat loss

Reduces chance of heat injury
May result in hypothermia
Cold acclimatization
Improved ability to sleep in the cold
Increased non-shivering thermogenesis
Higher intermittent blood flow to hands and
feet
Results in ability to maintain core temperature

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