Body Temperature Regulation During Exercise and Hyperthermia in Diabetics

Abstract

Thermoregulatory function, that is, heat dissipative responses such as skin blood flow (SkBF) and sweating to an increased body temperature, is critical during physical work or exercise in warm and hot conditions and during hyperthermia. Thermoregulatory function is associated with individual somatotype, fitness level, normal aging, and physi- ological status and diseases. Individuals with type 2 diabetes have decreased thermoreg- ulatory responses compared with healthy counterparts, characterized by decreased SkBF and sweating. The decreased SkBF and sweating would be associated with the reduction in nitric oxide bioavailability and endothelial functions in skin vasculatures, also with central mechanisms, and so on. Aerobic exercise training and/or acclimation to the heat improve heat dissipative responses in healthy subjects. The effects of exercise training in type 2 diabetics on glycemic control are well established while it remains unclear that high levels of aerobic fitness or exercise training in diabetics improve thermoregulatory function during heat stress. Keywords: thermoregulation, sweat rate, skin blood flow, plasma volume, aging, diabetes 1.