The effect of submaximal exercise on recovery hemodynamics and thermoregulation in men and women

Five women and 5 men were studied to examine the effects of submaximal exer cise on thermoregulatory and hemodynamic variables during recovery in two e nvironments: (a) control (C), 22 degrees C, 33% rh; and (b) hot humid (H) 3 2 degrees C. The participants exercised on a cycle ergometer at 60% of peak oxygen consumption for 35 min prior to 90 min of seated recovery. Sessions were identical, except for environment. Variable evaluated (p < .05) were: core temperature (T-R) mean skin temperature ((T) over bar(S)) sweat rate (SR) heart rate (HR) stroke index (SI), cardiac index (CI) forearm blood fl ow (FBF) systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Men and women exhibited similar patterns of T-R, (T) over bar(S) and SR in both environments. (T) over bar(S) and SR (collapsed means for gender) were higher in the H than in the C. DBP was higher in men than in women through out recovery in both environments. With combined means for gender HR was hi gher in the H than in the: C. CI, SI, FBF and SEP were similar in both envi ronments and returned to baseline within 15 min into recovery. These data s uggest that heat dissipation during extended recovery was accomplished with similar contributions of cutaneous vasodilation and sweating in M and F. F urthermore, the moderate exercise level did not influence hemodynamics beyo nd 15 min of recovery in either environment.