Metabolic Reactions to Changes in Core and Skin Temperature in Man

The metabolic cold response, i.e. the increase in oxygen consumption above that for the given activity in a neutral environment, was measured in 7 subjects during cooling, resting or swimming in cold water (14, 16, 18, 20°C) and during rewarming in air (T_a 20, 30, 40°C), bicycling or resting. Esophageal temperatures varied between 38 and 34°C. Mean skin temperature was considered as equal to water temperature during cooling, and ranged between 25–35°C during rewarming in the different environments. Both central and peripheral cold stimulation induced metabolic cold responses. The skin temperature was the dominating factor in determining the response, especially in transient states. During rewarming a rising skin temperature suppressed the effects of even very low core temperatures.