How does the body control temperature?
The body’s metabolic reactions loose heat as they occur to provide the body with heat. The continuous processing of growth, maintenance and especially muscle motion is based on chemical reactions that are exothermic, meaning with every reaction some energy is released as heat within the body. This chemical heat is the source of the basal metabolic temperature. When you are resting you do not generate as much heat. The body’s heat increase when exercising is almost entirely due to muscle movement. This core temperature is moderated to stay within certain range by reacting to produce or loose heat. Shivering muscles will generate more heat and constricting capillary beds so blood flow is limited to the extremities helps retain core heat. Shedding excess core heat is encouraged with dilation of the blood vessels to the extremities and sweating to provide evaporative cooling. This thermoregulation is autonomic, controlled by the sympathetic nervous system. The brain’s hypothalamus coordina
