The document discusses thermoregulation and maintaining core body temperature. It defines thermoregulation as the process of keeping core body temperature constant between 36-37 degrees Celsius. The hypothalamus acts like a thermostat, regulating temperature by receiving messages from thermal receptors in the skin or changes in blood temperature when the body gains or loses heat in different environments like hot, cold, or varying conditions for sports. It notes risks if core temperature varies more than 1 degree Celsius from the normal range.

1. Thermoregulation: the basics Applied physiology BND Yr2

2. Aims: To consider the importance of environment To define key terms To identify the role of the hypothalamus

3. Introduction Sport, competitions and tournaments are held all over the world, in all types of conditions. Sport can occur in hot humid climates, e.g. Commonwealth Games 1998 was held in Kuala Lumpar. Competitions can also be held in cold, icy and snowy conditions, e.g. Winter Olympics Athletes need to be prepared for whatever conditions they are required to perform in.

4. Introduction Competing in different countries puts different types of stress on the body and the way in which it functions. This unit will look at how these different conditions affects performance. It will also examine how training in different climates and conditions can help an athlete to cope more effectively.

5. Thermoregulation ‘ Thermoregulation is the process of maintaining a constant body core temperature.’ (Stafford-Brown et al. 2003) The body’s core includes the chest, head and abdomen.

6. Thermal balance: 36 ° 37 ° 38 ° HEAT LOSS HEAT GAIN In cold environment the body will loose heat rapidly In hot conditions the body will gain heat rapidly The challenge is to keep this core body temperature to 37 degrees Celsius.

7. Skin and Core Temperature The body’s skin temperature can vary greatly. However, if the body’s core temperature varies by 1 ºC or more, it will affect the performer’s performance, both physically and mentally. Larger changes to core temperature can lead to either hyperthermia or hypothermia .

8. Core Body Temperature Under 36 degree Celsius Above 38 degree Celsius One or the other will involve risks for the performer.

9. Body temperature regulation The mechanisms that regulate temperature are activated in one of two ways: Thermal receptors in the skin that send a message to the hypothalamus Direct stimulation of the hypothalamus, by changes in blood temperature.

10. Body temperature regulation Like a thermostat in a house, the hypothalamus regulates temperature and prevents the body from getting cold or over-heating. Once it receives a message that the body’s temperature is increasing or decreasing… … it must try to put it right.