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Sweat distribution before and after repeated heat exposure

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Abstract

We investigated the impact of short-term, moderate humidity heat acclimation upon sweat distribution. Eight males completed six daily heat exposures [cycling: ambient temperature 39.5 (0.2)°C, relative humidity 59.2 (0.8)%], during which auditory canal temperature (T ac) was maintained 1.4°C above pre-exposure levels for 70 min by manipulating the work rate. On days 1 and 6, T ac and local sweat rates ( sw: eight sites) were monitored. The pre-exposure, resting T ac and the T ac sweat threshold decreased from day 1 to day 6 [36.83 (0.05)°C vs 36.62 (0.05)°C, and 36.90 (0.05)°C vs 36.75 (0.05)°C, respectively; both P<0.05]. However, the sweat-onset time, sweat sensitivity (Δ swT ac) and established sw were unaltered (P > 0.05). There was also no evidence of a post-acclimation redistribution in established sw between the eight skin regions, though both the sweat sensitivity and established sw for the forehead and hand were significantly greater than at the remaining sites (P<0.05). It is concluded that the 5-day heat acclimation regimen provided only a minimal stimulus for sudomotor adaptation.

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Accepted: 3 March 1997

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Cotter, J., Patterson, M. & Taylor, N. Sweat distribution before and after repeated heat exposure. Eur J Appl Physiol 76, 181–186 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004210050232

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004210050232

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