Physiological responses of women during exercise under dry-heat condition in winter and summer

Fourteen young Japanese women were exposed to a dry-heat condition (Ta = 40 degrees C, rh = 30%) both in winter and summer. During an exposure for 110 min, they were rested on a bicycle ergometer for 20 min, exercised with an intensity of 40% Vo2 max for 60 min and recovery for 30 min. Their rectal and skin temperatures, and heart rate were determined every minute. Total sweat loss and dripping sweat were recorded throughout the experiment by independent bed balances which connected to a computer processor with an accuracy of 1 g. Sweat capsule with filter paper was used to measure sodium concentration on the forearm and back sites. Rectal temperature was not significantly different between winter and summer. Mean skin temperature was significantly higher in summer than in winter during exercise while heart rate was significantly lower in summer than in winter. Sweat evaporation and dripping in summer showed a tendency to increase much more than these in winter, but there were not significantly different. Sweat sodium concentration were significantly lower in summer than that in winter. It was found that sweating responses were not influenced by seasonal variation during exercise in dry-heat except the sweat sodium concentration.