Sex differences in autonomic and subjective thermal responses preceding behavioral thermoregulation by local cooling during humid heat exposure

Background: This study investigates the potential sex differences in autonomic and subjective thermal responses preceding the decision to behaviorally thermoregulate by local cooling during passive exposure to humid heat. Given the known differences in physiological and subjective responses to thermal stress among males and females, it is hypothesized that sex differences exist in the temporal recruitment of autonomic thermoeffectors and changes in subjective thermal responses preceding local cooling during humid heat exposure.