Thermoregulation Flashcards
What’s core temp?
What’s skin temp?
Core - 37 degrees
skin - 33 degrees
Why do we get a variation of heat in the body?
We gain heat via BMR, muscle activity, food and the environment.
We lose heat via conduction, evaporation etc.
What’s the heat balance equation?
S = M +/- Wk +/- R +/- C +/- K - E
S- heat storage M - metabolic rate Wk - external work R - radiation of heat eg. Sun C- conduction of heat K - convection of heat E - evaporative heat exchange eg. From sweat
What happens if the heat balance equation is imbalanced?
An inability to regulate within tolerable limits and will start to experience thermal stress, fatigue or heat illness
How do we control temperature?
The hypothalamus detects a change in body temperature and signals via NS to blood vessels to dilate or constrict and to the sweat glands.
If extreme cold, NS signals to muscles to contract involuntarily.
How might heat acclimation be beneficial to subsequent performance in the heat?
The chronic exposure to heat stress enhances thermoregulatory responses, improving sub max exercise performance, VO2 max and thermal comfort
How are the benefits of heat acclimation achieved?
Enhances sweating and skin blood flow responses, Plasma volume expansion, Better fluid balance, Cardiovascular stability, Acquired thermal tolerance.
What’s the diff between acclimation and acclimatisation?
Acclimation is in an artificial environment and acclimatisation is in a natural environment
What does heat training encompass?
A variety of heat exposures,
4-10 days of 1-1.5h duration,
Working at 50-75% VO2max
What are the risk factors for heat illness?
Dehydration, Hot and humid climate, Obesity, Low physical fitness, Certain medications, Sweat gland dysfunction, Lack of acclimatisation
Give some examples of heat illness
Heat oedema, heat cramp, heat syncope, heat exhaustion, heat stroke
