Physiological Differences between Men and Women in Exercise-Heat Tolerance and Heat Acclimation,
Abstract
The responses of men to changes in environmental temperature have provided a basis for the understanding of human heat tolerance and thermoregulation. There appears to be less certainty about the thermoregulatory patterns of women. Physiological responses to heat stress may differ between genders due to several factors which include the lower cardiorespiratory fitness, higher body fat content, lower body weight, and lower skin surface area and higher surface area-to-mass ratio of women compared to men. In addition, fluctuating horminal levels of estrogen and progesterone accompanying the menstrual cycle may influence women's tolerance to heat stress. Since the US Army is currently composed of greater than 10% females, it has become necessary to examine heat responses of females to exercise-heat stress and heat acclimation. Our Institute has conducted experiments comparing men and women for exercise-heat tolerance and acclimation over a wide range of environmental conditions. Originator-supplied keywords include: gender related differences; heat acclimation; heat balance and transfer; hypohydration; physiological responses; prolonged heat exposure.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA152048
Entities
People
- K. B. Pandolf
- Michael N. Sawka
- Y. Shapiro
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine