Physiological responses to 9 hours of heat exposure in young and older adults. Part I: Body temperature and hemodynamic regulation
Robert D. Meade, Sean R. Notley, Ashley P. Akerman, Gregory W. McGarr, Brodie J. Richards, Emma R. McCourt, Kelli E. King, James J. McCormick, Pierre Boulay, Ronald J. Sigal, Glen P. Kenny
Abstract
We found greater increases in body heat storage and core temperature in older adults than in their younger counterparts during 9 h of resting exposure to hot dry conditions. Furthermore, the age-related increase in core temperature was exacerbated in older adults with common heat-vulnerability-linked health conditions (type 2 diabetes and hypertension). Impairments in thermoregulatory function likely contribute to the increased risk of heat-related illness and injury seen in older adults during hot weather and heat waves.
Topics & Concepts
ThermoregulationHeat stressCore temperatureConfidence intervalMedicineRelative humidityYoung adultHemodynamicsRectal temperatureHeat illnessHeat waveInternal medicineAnimal scienceBiologyMeteorologyEcologyPhysicsClimate changeClimate Change and Health ImpactsThermoregulation and physiological responsesThermal Regulation in Medicine