ABSTRACT
In this study use was made of the HuTheReg software (Raimundo et al. 2012) to predict the human thermophysiological response. Its main module is based on the Stolwijk (1971) thermoregulation model, improved with knowledge of the literature (Fiala et al. 1999; Tanabe et al. 2002). When compared with the original Stolwijk model, the present numerical calculations show important enhancements. In this 89-node model the human
1 INTRODUCTION
In competitive sport the performance of athletes is crucial and body temperature, dehydration and low carbohydrate intake are among the most relevant factors affecting that performance. While dehydration and carbohydrate intake are easy to correct, as far as body temperature is concerned its control is considerably more difficult. Athletes can produce between 3 to 12 times more heat than at rest, which, when combined with high ambient temperatures, can compromise the human thermoregulatory system, leading the body to hyperthermia (Sawka et al. 2011). Without the action of the thermoregulatory mechanisms, 5 km of running would be sufficient for the human body temperature to reach dangerous levels. At the beginning of the physical activity the body temperature rapidly increases because heat production exceeds its dissipation. However, with the increase of the hypothalamic temperature, the human thermoregulatory system responds and the regulation of body temperature becomes more effective (Kenefick et al. 2007).
