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Human Physiology in the Heat

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Human Health and Physical Activity During Heat Exposure

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Medical Earth Sciences ((BRIEFSMEEASC))

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Abstract

Safety and performance during exercise and physical activity in the heat are limited by the human body’s physiological ability to balance heat gain and heat loss. Circumstances where heat gain from internal or external sources outweighs the ability to dissipate it can lead to dangerous increases in body temperature. Humans possess an ability to adapt to exercise in warm environments and minimize the deleterious effects through heat acclimatization. In situations where human physiology cannot overcome thermal challenges, exertional heat illnesses can manifest. These exertional heat illnesses can range from relatively benign to potentially fatal when left untreated. Technologies, techniques, and strategies to mitigate the consequences of exercise in warm environments should consider the existing physiological mechanisms to successfully promote health and maximize performance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Korey Stringer Institute, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

    Luke N. Belval

  2. University of Sydney, Lidcombe, NSW, Australia

    Ollie Jay

Authors
  1. Luke N. Belval
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  2. Ollie Jay
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Correspondence to Luke N. Belval .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. College of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan

    Yuri Hosokawa

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Belval, L.N., Jay, O. (2018). Human Physiology in the Heat. In: Hosokawa, Y. (eds) Human Health and Physical Activity During Heat Exposure. SpringerBriefs in Medical Earth Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-75889-3_2

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