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Related Concept Videos

Body Temperature01:07

Body Temperature

Body temperature reflects the equilibrium between heat production and heat loss within the body. Most heat is generated by metabolically active tissues, particularly the liver, heart, brain, kidneys, and endocrine organs. At rest, skeletal muscles contribute 20–30% of total heat production, but during vigorous exercise, this can increase up to 30–40 times.
The average body temperature is approximately 37°C (98.6°F) and typically ranges from 36.1–37.2°C (97–99°F), remaining relatively stable...
Body Temperature01:25

Body Temperature

The body's temperature, measured in degrees, is determined by the balance between heat production and dissipation to the surrounding environment. For instance, if exercising vigorously, the body will produce more heat, causing sweat and dissipating that heat. Despite extreme environmental conditions and physical exertion, the human temperature-control system maintains a constant core body temperature (the temperature of deep tissues, which are the tissues located beneath the skin and other...
Thermosensation01:43

Thermosensation

Peripheral thermosensation is the perception of external temperature. A change in temperature (on the surface of the skin and other tissues) is detected by a family of temperature-sensitive ion channels called Transient Receptor Potential, or TRP, receptors. These receptors are located on free nerve endings. Those detecting cold temperatures are closer to the surface of the skin than the nerve endings detecting warmth. These thermoTRP channels, while temperature selective, have relatively...
Factors Affecting Body Temperature01:28

Factors Affecting Body Temperature

As a nurse, it is vital to understand the factors affecting body temperature to monitor variations and effectively evaluate deviations from regular.
Factors may  include:
Requirements for Human Life01:26

Requirements for Human Life

The Earth and its atmosphere have provided humans with air, water, and food, but these are not the only requirements for survival. Humans also require a specific range of temperature and pressure that the Earth and its atmosphere provides.
Oxygen
Atmospheric air is only about 20 percent oxygen, but that oxygen is a key component of the chemical reactions that keep the body alive, including the reactions that produce ATP. Brain cells are susceptible to a lack of oxygen because they require a...
Alterations in Muscle Tone ll01:12

Alterations in Muscle Tone ll

Alterations in muscle tone are common manifestations of neurological disorders and reflect dysfunction within different nervous system regions. Spasticity, paratonia, and dystonia represent distinct forms of hypertonia, each with unique mechanisms, clinical features, and diagnostic importance.CharacteristicsSpasticity happens from upper motor neuron lesions and is characterized by velocity-dependent resistance to passive movement. Clinical features include:Exaggerated deep tendon reflexesClonus...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Measuring Skeletal Muscle Thermogenesis in Mice and Rats
07:56

Measuring Skeletal Muscle Thermogenesis in Mice and Rats

Published on: July 27, 2022

Temperature and neuromuscular function.

S Racinais1, J Oksa

  • 1Research and Education Centre, ASPETAR, Qatar Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar Physical Work Capacity team, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Oulu, Finland. racinais@aspetar.com

Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports
|October 30, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Environmental temperature significantly impacts exercise performance by altering the neuromuscular system. Both heat and cold impair performance through changes in neural drive and muscle function.

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Assessment of Neuromuscular Function Using Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
07:53

Assessment of Neuromuscular Function Using Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Published on: September 13, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Exercise Physiology
  • Environmental Physiology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Environmental temperature is a critical factor influencing human physiological responses during physical activity.
  • The neuromuscular system plays a vital role in exercise performance and is sensitive to thermal stress.
  • Understanding temperature's effects on neural control is crucial for optimizing athletic performance and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the effects of environmental temperatures on the neuromuscular system.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which cold and hot environments impair neuromuscular function and exercise performance.
  • To highlight the impact of temperature on neural drive regulation and excitation-contraction coupling.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review synthesizing existing research on environmental temperature and neuromuscular function.
  • Analysis of studies examining physiological responses to exercise in cold and hot conditions.
  • Examination of neural adaptations at supraspinal, spinal, and peripheral levels.

Main Results:

  • Moderate increases in muscle temperature (1°C) can enhance short-duration exercise performance (2-5%).
  • Hyperthermia (elevated central temperature) and cold exposure impair performance.
  • Impairments are linked to altered neural drive, including central and peripheral failures and protective adaptations.
  • Temperature affects neural drive transmission and excitation-contraction coupling.

Conclusions:

  • Environmental temperature profoundly influences neuromuscular function and exercise performance.
  • Both heat stress and cold stress elicit protective adaptations that modify neural drive, leading to performance decrements.
  • Temperature's effects extend to neural pathways and the muscle's ability to contract, impacting overall neuromuscular output.