Heat production from shivering

Abstract

Healthy young men were exposed, nearly nude, for 2 hours or less to various environmental conditions (dry-bulb temperature, 90°–20°F; windspeed, μ1, 5, 10 mph). Oxygen consumption was recorded at intervals during exposure. The results show that even under conditions where no visible shivering was observed, there was an increase in heat production. Exposure to very low temperatures (20°F) with low winds did not evoke the largest increases in heat production. The greatest mean heat production (370 Cal/hr.) was associated with the highest windspeed (10 mph), and this value approached the maximum heat production which can be attained by shivering (mean value about 425 Cal/hr.). Thus, increasing the windspeed had a relatively greater impact on heat production than decreasing the dry-bulb temperature. The relationships between heat production and windspeed and heat production and dry-bulb temperature were nonlinear. Submitted on February 8, 1960