Precedence of head homoeothermia over trunk homoeothermia in dehydrated men

Abstract

Three male humans were subjected repeatedly to 20 min exercise on a bicycle ergometer: twice when hydrated normally and twice when dehydrated. Tympanic (Tty) and oesophageal (Tes) temperatures were recorded and sweat rates on forehead and back were measured. Dehydration did not change the forehead sweat rate, but on the back it reduced significantly, resulting in an increase of Tes. However, Tty was decreased by dehydration. 20 min after the end of exercise subjects were allowed to drink water in order to trigger the potohidrotic response. A potohidrotic response was noted on the back of dehydrated subjects only. It is concluded that dehydration results in active inhibition of sweating on the body but not on the forehead, where evaporation is needed for selective cooling of the brain.