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Updated: May 22, 2026
07:54
Field-Based Thermal Physiology Assay: Cold Shock Recovery under Ambient Conditions
Published on: March 9, 2021
Cold weather issues in sideline and event management.
J Andrew McMahon1, Allyson Howe
1Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine 04105, USA.
Current Sports Medicine Reports
|May 15, 2012
Summary
Athletes exercising in cold weather face unique physiological stress, increasing risk of cold-related injuries like hypothermia and frostbite. Proper education and planning enable safe cold-weather exercise.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Medicine
- Sports Physiology
Background:
- Exercise in cold environments presents unique physiological challenges.
- Cold exposure can lead to various cold-related injuries in athletes.
- Environmental factors significantly influence the risk of hypothermia and frostbite.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the risks and physiological stresses associated with exercising in cold environments.
- To describe common cold-related injuries and their causes.
- To emphasize the importance of education and planning for safe cold-weather exercise.
Main Methods:
- Review of physiological responses to cold exposure during exercise.
- Identification of risk factors for cold-related injuries.
- Description of specific cold injuries: hypothermia, frostbite, trench foot, chilblains, and cold urticaria.
Main Results:
- Environmental factors are primary risks for hypothermia.
- Temperature is the main risk factor for frostbite.
- Trench foot results from prolonged cold water immersion; chilblains are skin lesions from specific temperature and exposure durations.
- Cold urticaria is an allergic reaction manageable by avoidance.
Conclusions:
- Athletes are susceptible to cold-related injuries due to physiological stress from cold environments.
- Understanding risk factors like temperature and exposure is crucial for injury prevention.
- Safe participation in cold-weather exercise is achievable through adequate education and strategic planning.
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