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Core temperature differences between males and females during intermittent exercise: physical considerations
Daniel Gagnon1, Lucy E Dorman, Ollie Jay
1Laboratory of Human Bioenergetics and Environmental Physiology, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, 125 University Pvt, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
European Journal of Applied Physiology
|November 20, 2008
Summary
Males and females exhibit similar heat loss during intermittent exercise. However, females experience a greater increase in core body temperature, likely due to physical characteristics rather than thermoregulation differences.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Human Thermoregulation
- Sports Science
Background:
- Understanding sex-based differences in thermoregulation is crucial for optimizing exercise protocols.
- Dynamic heat balance during intermittent exercise requires detailed examination of heat production and loss mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex-specific differences in dynamic heat balance during intermittent exercise.
- To compare heat loss and core temperature changes between males and females under controlled exercise conditions.
Main Methods:
- Six males and six females performed intermittent exercise with constant metabolic heat production.
- Direct and indirect calorimetry were used to measure heat loss and heat production, respectively.
- Esophageal temperature was continuously monitored throughout the protocol.
Main Results:
- Total heat loss was comparable between sexes during all exercise bouts.
- Changes in body heat content were similar between males and females.
- Females exhibited significantly greater increases in esophageal temperature by the end of the final exercise bout.
Conclusions:
- Sex differences in core temperature during intermittent exercise are primarily attributed to variations in physical characteristics.
- Whole-body thermoregulatory responses do not appear to account for the observed differences in core temperature between sexes.
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