Air speed and direction affect metabolic and thermoregulatory responses during walking and running in a temperate environment

Abstract

Revisiting classical work by Pugh and Davies on the metabolic effects of air speed and direction, shortcomings in the original studies were addressed. Using more participants, less turbulent wind, and avoiding confounding effects of work-induced core temperature increases, new equations describing the impact of air speed/direction were developed. This study observed a lower impact of headwind and a larger impact of tailwind in the absence of an exercise-induced core temperature increase.