S.A.

Khan

Regulation of body temperature. Body temperatire

and isothermia. Heat production and loss.
Neurophysiology of temperature regulation.
Hyperthermia and hypothermia. Acclimatization.
Regulation of body temperature during exercise
The human body has the remarkable capacity for regulating its core temperature
somewhere between 98°F and 100°F when the ambient temperature is between
approximately 68°F and 130°F. This presumes a nude body and dry air. The
body takes a very active role in temperature regulation. The temperature of the
body is regulated by neural feedback mechanisms which operate primarily
through the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus contains not only the control
mechanisms, but also the key temperature sensors.

Heat Loss

Under control of these mechanisms, heat loss mechanisms begin when the
temperature of the body increases above normal.

 Evaporation – when you sweat, the evaporation of that liquid promotes

heat loss and the natural result is a cooling effect (Sweating begins
almost precisely at a skin temperature of 37°C and increases rapidly as
the skin temperature rises above this value)
 Radiation – The heat generated from within the body is given off to the
surrounding atmosphere
 Conduction – The body conducts heat to whatever the skin is in direct
contact with. Conductive heat loss occurs when the skin is subjected to
either cold air or water, but especially critical in water, as your body
loses heat about 25 times faster in water than in air of the same
temperature
 Convection – is the process of air or water flowing by the skin carrying
away body heat. It’s convective heat loss that you try to prevent by
staying as still as possible in water. Staying still, the boundary layer of
water next to the skin is heated by the body and remains undisturbed. If
you move around in the water, you disrupt that boundary layer of
warmer water and that increases heat loss
 Vasodilation to increase the flow of heat to the skin
 Heat production of the body under these conditions remains almost
constant as the skin temperature rises.

Heat Production
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If the skin temperature drops below 37°C a variety of responses are initiated to
conserve the heat in the body and to increase heat production. These include

 Vasoconstriction to decrease the flow of heat to the skin

 Cessation of sweating
 Shivering to increase heat production in the muscles (Thermogenesis)
 Secretion of norepinephrine, epinephrine, and thyroxin to increase heat
production
 The erection of the hairs and fur increase insulation

Hypothermia

Hypothermia describes a state in which the body's mechanism for temperature

regulation is overwhelmed in the face of a cold stressor. It is a decrease in body
temperature to 35 degrees C or below. Hypothermia usually results from
prolonged exposure to cold environments. At first, normal negative-feedback
mechanisms maintain body temperature. Heat loss is decreased by constricting
blood vessels in the skin, and heat production is increased by shivering. If body
temperature decreases despite these mechanisms, hypothermia develops. The
individual's thinking becomes sluggish, and movements are uncoordinated;
heart, respiratory, and metabolic rates decline, and death results unless body
temperature is restored to normal. Hypothermia can be classified in the
following ways:
 Accidental hypothermia - generally results from unanticipated exposure
in an inadequately prepared person; examples include inadequate shelter
for a homeless person, someone caught in a winter storm
 Intentional hypothermia is an induced state generally directed at
neuroprotection after an at-risk situation (usually after cardiac arrest)
 Primary hypothermia is due to environmental exposure, with no
underlying medical condition causing disruption of temperature
regulation
 Secondary hypothermia is low body temperature resulting from a medical
illness lowering the temperature set-point.

Hyperthermia

If heat gain exceeds the ability of the body to lost heat, then body temperature
increases above normal levels, a condition called hyperthermia.

Hyperthermia can result from

 exposure to hot environments - Exposure to a hot environment normally

results in the activation of heat loss mechanisms, and body temperature is
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maintained at normal levels (negative feedback mechanisms). However,

prolonged exposure to a hot environment can result in heat exhaustion.
The normal negative-feedback mechanisms for controlling body
temperature are operating, but they are unable to maintain a normal body
temperature. Heavy sweating results in dehydration, decreased blood
volume, decreased blood pressure, and increased heart rate.

 Exercise - Exercise increases body temperature because of the heat

produced as a by-product of muscle activity. Normally vasodilation and
increased sweating prevent body temperature increases that are harmful.
In a hot, humid environment the evaporation of sweat is decreased, and
exercise levels have to be reduced to prevent overheating.
o Heat stroke is a breakdown of the normal negative-feedback
mechanisms of temperature regulation. If the temperature of the
hypothalamus becomes too high, it no longer functions
appropriately. Sweating stops, and the skin becomes dry and
flushed. The person becomes confused and irritable. In addition to
the treatment for heat exhaustion, heat loss from the skin should be
increased. This can be accomplished by increasing evaporation
from the skin by applying wet clothes or by increasing conductive
heat loss by immersing the person in a cool bath.

 Fever - Fever is the development of a higher-than-normal body

temperature following the invasion of the body by microorganisms or
foreign substances. Lymphocytes, neutrophils, and macrophages release
chemicals called pyrogens that raise the temperature set point of the
hypothalamus. Consequently body temperature and metabolic rate
increase. Fever is believed to be beneficial because it speeds up the
chemical reactions of the immune system and inhibits the growth of some
microorganisms. Although beneficial, body temperatures greater than 41
degrees C can be harmful. Aspirin lowers body temperature by affecting
the hypothalamus resulting in dilation of skin blood vessels and sweating.

 Anaesthesia - Malignant hyperthermia is an inherited muscle disorder.

Drugs used to induce general anaesthesia for surgery cause sustained,
uncoordinated muscle contractions in some individuals. Consequently
body temperature increases

 Therapeutic hyperthermia - is an induced local or general body

increase in temperature. It is a treatment sometimes used on tumours and
infections.
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Regulation of body temperature during exercise

During strenuous exercise the body's heat production may exceed 1000 W.
Some of the heat produced is stored, raising body core temperature by a few
degrees. Rises in body temperature are sensed by central and skin
thermoreceptors and this sensory information is processed by the hypothalamus
to trigger appropriate effector responses. Other sensory inputs from
baroreceptors and osmoreceptors can modify these responses. Evaporation of
sweat and increased skin blood flow (vasodilation) are effective mechanisms for
the dissipation of heat from the body however dehydration impairs the capacity
to sweat and lose body heat. This is why it is essential to have sufficient fluid
intake during exercise in order to prevent dehydration. Hot, humid
environments or inappropriate clothing may compromise the ability to lose heat
from the body. Exercise training improves tolerance to exercise in the heat by
increasing the sensitivity of the sweat rate/core temperature relationship,
decreasing the core temperature threshold for sweating and increasing total
blood volume.
(N.B All ideas of heat loss to be used in ‘regulation of body temperature during
exercise)