AFTERRISE: Deep Body Temperature Following Exercise

Abstract : This study was undertaken to document the continued increase in rectal temperature seen after exercising in the heat. Also, during recovery, the effects of posture and clothing during recovery, and temperature of the recovery room were examined. Five men exercised at a moderate intensity of 35 deg C and 50% relative humidity (RH) until their rectal temperatures reached 38.5 deg C. All subjects then recovered at a room temperature of 35 deg C or 22 deg C, while in a sitting or lying posture. These conditions were evaluated while the subject recovered wearing a Canadian Forces Chemical Warfare (CW) overgarment or light clothing (combat pants or shorts and a short sleeved shirt). This resulted in a total of 8 trials per subject. Rectal and skin temperatures were measured each minute during exercise and recovery. After exercise, rectal temperature increased above 38.5 deg C, however, this increase was slight. Posture and clothing as well as recovery environment affected the magnitude of this afterise. It was concluded that the optimal condition in. this experiment which minimized the post exercise temperature afterise, was recovery at 22 deg C while sitting without the CW overgarment.