Thermal responses during arm and leg and combined arm-leg exercise in water

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Abstract
Thermal and metabolic responses were examined during exposures in stirred water at .apprx. 20, 26 and 33.degree. C while subjects were performing 45 min of either arm (A), leg (L), or combined arm-leg (AL) exercise. Eight males [human] immersed to the neck completed a low exercise intensity for A exercise and both a low and high exercise intensity for L and AL exercise. During low-intensity exercise, final metabolic rate (M) for A, L and AL exercise was not different (P > 0.05) between exercise type for each water temperature (Tw). Final rectal temperatures (Tre) for A and AL exercise were significantly lower than L values for each Tw during low-intensity exercise. These findings were supported by both mean weighted skin temperature (.hivin.Tsk) and mean weighted heat flow (Hc) values, which were greater during A than L for each TW. During high-intensity exercise, final Tre values were lower (P < 0.05) during AL compared with L exercise across all Tw. Final .hivin.Tsk and Hc values were not different between each type of exercise, although M was significantly lower during L exercise in 20.degree. C water. A greater conductive and convective heat loss during exercise utilizing the arms when compared with leg-only exercise is suggested.