Thermoregulatory Responses to Arm Work, Leg Work and Intermittent Leg Work

N ielsen , B. Thermoregulatory responses to arm work, leg work and intermittent leg work . Acta physiol. scand. 1968. 72 . 25–32. The increase in esophageal temperature during continuous work on a bicycle ergometer with the arms and with the legs was compared. Also the effect of intermittent leg work (30 sec rest/work intervals) was compared to that of continuous work. At the same rate of metabolic energy production the esophageal temperature in the steady state was about the same independent of the different degree of anaerobicity and the different neuromuscular factors. It is therefore suggested that chemical factors liberated in proportion to the aerobic prosesses is responsible for the temperature setting during work. The sweat rate and the skin circulation expressed as conductance of the peripheral tissues carried in proportion to the total heat production independent of neuromuscular factors.