Perceptual Variations in Thermoregulation During Exercise in a Hot Environment

<p>ABSTRACT</p> <p>Professionals are seeking to find ways to prevent exertional heat illness (EHI) in populations working in hot environments as well as populations that are physically active. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate individuals’ ability to accurately perceive core temperature ranges associated with homeothermic and EHI temperatures during exercise. Ten physically active males exercised on a treadmill at a self-selected rate until core temperature reached 39°C. Participants rated perceived core and skin temperature on 100 mm scales each time core temperature increased 0.25˚ C (37.5-39.0˚ C), along with thermal comfort and sweating sensation. During exercise core temperature was overestimated by 0.46 ±0.11^˚C. Following exercise, participants consistently underestimated core temperature by a mean perceived rating of 0.71±0.05^˚ C. Skin temperature was overestimated by 1.45 ±1.21^˚C. Correlations were found between core temperature and perceived core temperature (r =0.54), perceived skin temperature (r =0.55), thermal comfort (r =0.41), and sweating sensation (r =0.42). No correlation was found between core and skin temperature(r =0.02). These data suggest that although people are able to recognize increases in core temperature to the point of overestimation during exercise, they may return to exercise or work too quickly following breaks to cool themselves.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science - Kinesiology

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Kinesiology and Health Science

Year dc:date.available

2016

Author dc:creator

• Alger, William C

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Eric Jones
• Dr. Mark Faries
• Dr. Dustin Joubert

• Thermoregulation
• Perceptual
• Heat
• Thermal
• Core temperature
• Human body
• Biochemical Phenomena, Metabolism, and Nutrition
• Community Health and Preventive Medicine
• Environmental Public Health
• Kinesiotherapy
• Physiological Processes
• Translational Medical Research

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/61

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.sfasu.edu:etds-1063