What is the maximum temperature a person can withstand: scientists have made a forecast

Scientists have determined the upper critical body temperature at which a person can function normally. The threshold is on average +40 to +50°C.

The study was conducted by physiologist Lewis Halsey and his colleagues from the University of Roehampton in London. The details were reported by Express.

As the ambient temperature rises, the body begins to expend more and more energy to maintain optimal performance.

"We've researched to establish the temperature range within which the body functions in terms of minimal metabolic rate and, therefore, low energy expenditure," said Professor Halsey.

Previous studies were conducted in natural conditions, such as people laying bricks in the heat or simply relaxing on the beach. Volunteers assessed the impact of ambient temperatures, reaching a maximum of +50°C. The results of the experiment will be valuable in determining working conditions, medical practices, sports, and more.

"This study provides fundamental knowledge about how we react to temperature changes. The lower limit of the body's so-called thermoneutral zone, in which the body doesn't need to actively regulate its internal temperature, is typically +28°C," explained Professor Halsey.

If the temperature is lower, the body begins to take measures to preserve and generate heat. Shivering, for example, is the primary way the body involuntarily generates heat through muscle contractions.

The upper limit was less clear. During the study, volunteers, including Professor Halsey himself, lay on a folding bed in a special environmental chamber where the temperature and humidity gradually increased. The scientists then compared the metabolic rate of each subject under normal and extreme conditions.

During the test, they monitored heart function, sweating rate, and oxygen consumption. In some individuals, the metabolic rate increased by 20%. Women's heart rates accelerated faster than men's in the heat.

"We are continually building a picture of how the body responds to heat stress, how adaptable it can be, and what the limits of these adaptations are," noted the professor.

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL guided what to do when the heat does not let you sleep.

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