Metabolic Cost of Shivering

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Abstract
Skin and rectal temperatures, O2 consumption, respiratory minute volume., CO2 production, RQ and shivering were recorded in 10 experiments on men before, during and after acute exposure to an ambient temperature of -3[degree]C. In this environment the first tremors of shivering appeared in 1.8 minutes and generalized shivering in 4 minutes after the beginning of cold exposure. Average rectal temperature increased and the mean skin and mean body temperatures decreased progressively throughout the period of cold exposure. Generalized shivering occurred after a mean increase of 0.2[degree]C in the rectal temperature and at an average mean skin temperature of 27.1[degree]C. The stimulus to shivering therefore appeared from cutaneous stimulation. Shivering was intermittent. From a consideration of the temperature gradients between the body surface and the environment and the payment of the heat debt during the follow-up period, it is concluded that the relative weights given to various skin areas may not be the same for periods during which their temperatures are undergoing rapid change. O2 consumption, respiration and RQ showed significant increases as a result of the cold exposure and shivering. Since no significant increases in the ventilatory equivalent were seen it was concluded that the increase in RQ seen was due, at least in part, to an increase in the oxidation of carbohydrate. From the extra heat produced above the basal rate, and the total heat debt developed, it was estimated that shivering was approximately 11% efficient in protecting against total heat loss.

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