Physiological Responses of Men and Women to Humid and Dry Heat,
Abstract
The major objective of this study was to determine whether sex-related differences in thermoregulation exist; and if so, whether there was any method to define these differences. A major methodological problem of the study was the inability to find groups of males and females matched in all their physical characteristics, namely: body weight, skin surface area, percentage of body fat and cardiorespiratory physical fitness. This problem was partially solved by dividing each sex into two subgroups and matching the subgroups as 'small' males vs. 'big' females, or more fit females vs. less fit males. The sex-related differences concluded from this investigation are summarized in Table 4. In comfortable climatic conditions (20 C, 40% rh) men and women reacted in a physiologically similar fashion. Under wet conditions, whether mild or hot, females tolerated the heat better than males. They displayed lower deep body and skin temperatures, and therefore lower heat storage, while demonstrating lower sweat rates and subsequently less dehydration than males. In contrast, under hot-dry conditions, males seemed to be at a physiological advantage. Compared to females, they showed lower deep body and skin temperatures, lower HR, lower heat storage, and similar sweat rates. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA079573
Entities
People
- Barbara A. Avellini
- Kent B. Pandolf
- Nancy A. Pimental
- Ralph F. Goldman
- Yair Shapiro
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine