Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2013; 34(08): 707-711
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1331770
Physiology & Biochemistry
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effects of Rain on Energy Metabolism while Running in a Cold Environment

R. Ito
1   Department of Economics, Nihon Fukushi University, Chita-gun, Japan
,
M. Nakano
2   Department of Human Health, Aichi Toho University, Toyota, Japan
,
M. Yamane
3   Human Sciences, Aichi Mizuho College, Toyota, Japan
,
M. Amano
4   Faculty of Human Wellness, Tokai Gakuen University, Miyoshi, Japan
,
T. Matsumoto
5   Laboratory for Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics, Graduate School of Health and Sport Sciences, Chukyo University, Toyota, Japan
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 03 December 2012

Publication Date:
31 January 2013 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Environmental factors tend to influence the performance of individuals who exercise for extended periods. The present study aimed to determine energy metabolism while running in cold, wet conditions using a climatic chamber that can precisely simulate rainy conditions. 7 healthy men (age, 23.3±2.9 (SD) y; height, 168.6±7.5 cm; weight, 65.9±8.1 kg; V. O2max, 52.0±5.7 mL·kg − 1·min − 1) ran on a treadmill at 70% ˙VO2max intensity for 30 min in a climatic chamber at an ambient temperature of 5°C in the presence (RAIN) or absence (CON) of 40 mm/h of precipitation. Expired air, esophageal temperature, heart rate, mean skin temperature, rating of perceived exertion and blood samples were measured. Esophageal temperature and mean skin temperature were significantly lower (P<0.05) in RAIN than in CON all. Minute ventilation, oxygen consumption and levels of plasma lactate and norepinephrine were significantly higher (P<0.05) in RAIN than in CON. In conclusion, the higher oxygen consumption and plasma lactate in RAIN indicated that energy demand increases when running in cold conditions.

Key words

weather - climatic chamber - oxygen consumption - lactate - thermoregulatory
 

  • References

  • 1 Baldari C, Guidetti L. A simple method for individual anaerobic threshold as predictor of max lactate steady state. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2000; 32: 1798-1802
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Beelen A, Sargeant AJ. Effect of lowered muscle temperature on the physiological response to exercise in men. Eur J Appl Physiol 1991; 63: 387-392
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Blomstrand E, Kaijser L, Bergh U, Ekblom B. Temperature-induced changes in metabolic and hormonal responses to intensive dynamic exercise. Acta Physiol Scand 1986; 127: 477-484
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Borg GAV. Perceived exertion: a note on “history” and methods. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1973; 5: 90-93
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Castellani JW, Young AJ, Degroot DW, Stulz DA, Cadarette BS, Rehind SG, Zamecnik J, Shek PN, Sawka MN. Thermoregulation during cold exposure after several days of exhaustive exercise. J Appl Physiol 2001; 90: 939-946
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Craig AB, Dvorak M. Thermal regulation of man exercising during water immersion. J Appl Physiol 1968; 25: 28-35
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Doubt TJ, Hsieh SS. Additive effects of caffeine and cold water during submaximal leg exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1991; 23: 435-442
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Ely MR, Cheuvront SN, Montain SJ. Neither cloud cover nor low solar loads are associated with fast marathon performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2007; 39: 2029-2035
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Ely MR, Cheuvront SN, Roberts WO, Montain SJ. Impact of weather on marathon-running performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2007; 39: 487-493
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Ely MR, Martin DE, Cheuvront SN, Montain SJ. Effect of ambient temperature on marathon pacing is dependent on runner ability. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2008; 40: 1675-1680
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Faulkner JA, Zerba E, Brooks SV. Muscle temperature of mammals: cooling impairs most functional properties. Am J Physiol 1990; 259: R259-R265
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Galloway SD, Maughan RJ. Effects of ambient temperature on the capacity to perform prolonged cycle exercise in man. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1997; 29: 1240-1249
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Giesbrecht GG, Jetté M, Thoden JS. The effect of ambient temperature and exercise intensity on post-exercise thermal homeostasis. Eur J Appl Physiol 1997; 76: 109-115
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Guidetti L, Emerenziani GP, Gallotta MC, Da Silva SG, Baldari C. Energy cost and energy sources of a ballet dance exercise in female adolescents with different technical ability. Eur J Appl Physiol 2008; 103: 315-321
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Guidetti L, Gallotta MC, Emerenziani GP, Baldari C. Exercise intensities during a ballet lesson in female adolescents with different technical ability. Int J Sports Med 2007; 28: 736-742
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. Update – ethical standards in sport and exercise science research. Int J Sports Med 2011; 32: 819-821
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Hue O, Voltaire B, Galy O, Costes O, Callis A, Hertoqh C, Blonc S. Effects of 8 days acclimation on biological and performance response in a tropical climate. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2004; 44: 30-37
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Hoar PF, Ravmond LW, Langworthy HC, Johnsonbaugh RE, Sode J. Physiological responses of men working in 25.5 degrees C water, breathing air or helium tri-mix. J Appl Physiol 1976; 40: 605-610
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Jacobs I, Romet TT, Frim J, Hvnes A. Effects of endurance fitness on responses to cold water immersion. Aviat Space Environ Med 1984; 55: 715-720
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Jacobs I, Romet TT, Kerrigan-Brown D. Muscle glycogen depletion during exercise at 9°C and 21°C. Eur J Appl Physiol 1985; 54: 35-39
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Kaufman WC, Bothe DJ. Wind chill reconsidered, Siple revisited. Aviat Space Environ Med 1986; 57: 23-26
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 McArdle WD, Magel JR, Lesmes GR, Pechar GS. Metabolic and cardiovascular adjustment to work in air and water at 18, 25, and 33 degrees C. J Appl Physiol 1976; 40: 85-90
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 McCann DJ, Adams WC. Wet bulb globe temperature index and performance in competitive distance runners. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1997; 29: 955-961
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Parkin JM, Carey MF, Zhao S, Febbraio MA. Effect of ambient temperature on human skeletal muscle metabolism during fatiguing submaximal exercise. J Appl Physiol 1999; 86: 902-908
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Pendergast DR. The effect of body cooling on oxygen transport during exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc [Suppl] 1988; 20: S171-S176
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Pugh LG. Accidental hypothermia in walkers, climbers, and campers: report to the Medical Commission on Accident Prevention. Br Med J 1966; 1: 123-129
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Pugh LG. Cold stress and muscular exercise, with special reference to accidental hypothermia. Br Med J 1967; 2: 333-337
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Ramanathan NL. A new weighting system for mean surface temperature of the human body. J Appl Physiol 1964; 19: 531-533
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Shephard RJ. Exercise in a cold climate. Can Fam Physician 1972; 18: 44-47
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Thoden J, Kenny G, Reardon F, Jetté M, Livingstone S. Disturbance of thermal homeostasis during post-exercise hyperthermia. Eur J Appl Physiol 1994; 68: 170-176
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Thompson RL, Hayward JS. Wet-cold exposure and hypothermia: thermal and metabolic responses to prolonged exercise in rain. J Appl Physiol 1996; 81: 1128-1137
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Tikuisis P, Ducharme MB, Moroz D, Jacobs I. Physiological responses of exercised-fatigued individuals exposed to wet-cold conditions. J Appl Physiol 1999; 86: 1319-1328
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Trapasso LM, Cooper JD. Record performances at the Boston Marathon: Biometeorological factors. Int J Biometeorol 1989; 33: 233-237
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Vihma T. Effects of weather on the performance of marathon runners. Int J Biometeorol 2010; 54: 297-306
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Weller AS, Millard CE, Stroud MA, Greenhaff PL, Macdonald IA. Physiological responses to cold stress during prolonged intermittent low- and high-intensity walking. Am J Physiol 1997; 272: R2025-R2033
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Zhang S, Meng G, Wang Y, Li J. Study of the relationships between weather conditions and the marathon race, and of meteorotropic effects on distance runners. Int J Biometeorol 1992; 36: 63-68
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar