The effects of morphological factors (body surface area (A(D)), body mass a
nd surface to mass ratio (A(D)/M)) on exercise heat stress responses in a h
ot wet (HW) (35 degreesC 80% rh) and hot dry (HD) climate (45 degreesC, 20%
rh) of equal WBGT (similar or equal to 31.6 degreesC) were studied in 30 a
nd 25 subjects respectively. In both climates there were positive correlati
ons of T-rc with A(D)/M, negative with A(D) and mass, giving the bigger sub
jects an "advantage" that remained (A(D)/M) when data were corrected for di
fferences in V over dot (O2max), which accounted for a substantial part of
the variance in T-re. The observed A(D)/M effect contradicts earlier studie
s but is consistent with model calculations. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd.
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