Human Endocrine Responses to Exercise-Cold Stress
Abstract
The combination of cold exposure and exercise performed in this environment elicits profound physiological responses. These include increases in metabolic heat production and vasoconstriction in order to maintain body temperature, changes in fluid balance and changes in substrate mobilization in order to fuel increased metabolic activity. Many of these physiological responses are associated with endocrine secretion and concentration changes. It is acknowledged that differences in plasma levels as a result of cold exposure could be due to secretion, clearance and volume of distribution that cannot be differentiated in these studies. Most of the studies examining the role of cold exposure on hormone responses have been completed during resting exposure and these are still relatively few in number. The interaction of exercise and cold on the endocrine system is even less studied. The primary purpose of this chapter is to survey the endocrine responses to exercise-cold stress in humans. Animal studies will not be considered. Sedentary cold exposure responses are also reviewed to provide background information and for use as a point of comparison to exercise studies. Table 33.% presents the hormones that will be discussed and presents a general overview of the changes caused by resting and exercise-cold stress.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA437134
Entities
People
- David W. DeGroot
- J. W. Castellani
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine