Researchers at the University of Roehampton in the UK have discovered an upper critical temperature (UCT) for humans, likely between 104-122°F (40°C-50°C). This UCT causes a rise in the resting metabolic rate in hot and humid conditions. The team is currently investigating how heart function varies across different individuals in temperatures above the UCT. This study aims to improve our understanding of how humans adapt to suboptimal environments, which is a key concern in a warming world.
The research conducted by Prof. Lewis Halsey and his team has found that the resting metabolic rate, which measures the amount of energy the human body consumes to function at rest, increases when exposed to hot and humid conditions. This rise in metabolic energy costs at high temperatures is currently being further investigated.
Understanding the temperatures at which human metabolic rates start to rise, and how this varies between individuals, can have implications for various fields such as working conditions, sports, medicine, and international travel. Prof. Halsey emphasizes that while a lot of research has been done on the preferred temperatures for different animal species, there is limited information available for humans regarding the upper limits of their thermal neutral zone.
The ongoing research also reveals significant differences in cardiovascular responses to heat between sexes, as well as variations across age and physical fitness levels. Prof. Halsey’s team has measured detailed heart function using a state-of-the-art echocardiograph and found considerable changes in heart function responses to heat between different categories of people.
The findings from this research contribute valuable knowledge about the body’s adaptability to heat stress in a warming world. This information could have implications in diverse fields, including medicine, sports, work conditions, and international travel.
Prof. Halsey will present the team’s most recent findings at the SEB Centenary Conference in 2023. He emphasizes the importance of understanding how the body responds to heat stress, its adaptability, and the variations in responses between individuals in a warming world.
This research provides fundamental knowledge about how humans react to suboptimal environments and how optimal conditions differ between individuals with different characteristics. As the world continues to warm, this knowledge becomes increasingly valuable.
The ongoing research by Prof. Halsey and his team sheds light on the body’s response to heat stress and its adaptability, as well as the limits to those adaptations. This information can help us better understand how to adapt to suboptimal environments and improve our ability to cope with the challenges of a warming world.
The findings of this research will be presented at the SEB Centenary Conference in 2023, providing valuable insights into the human body’s response to heat stress and its adaptability. This knowledge can have significant implications in various fields and contribute to our understanding of how we can better adapt to suboptimal environments in a warming world.
