From the Research
Physiological Responses to Cold Exposure
- Cold weather exercise physiology is reviewed, and medical conditions that may impact performance at cold temperatures are briefly examined 1
- Cold exposure facilitates body heat loss, which can reduce body temperature, unless mitigated by enhanced heat conservation or increased heat production 2
- Exercise and shivering increase metabolic heat production, which helps offset body heat losses in the cold, but exercise also increases peripheral blood flow, facilitating heat loss 2
Effects of Cold Exposure on Physical Performance
- Aerobic performance is degraded in cold environments, with potential physiological mechanisms including decreases in deep body and muscle temperature, cardiovascular, and metabolism 3
- Strength and power are also degraded during cold exposure, primarily through a decline in muscle temperature 3
- Thermoregulatory fatigue, a reduction in the thermal effector responses of shivering and vasoconstriction, can occur as a result of multistressor factors, including exhaustive exercise 3
Otalgia and Cold Exposure
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to explain why otalgia (ear pain) occurs during physical activity in cold temperatures
- However, it is possible that the physiological responses to cold exposure, such as vasoconstriction and changes in blood flow, may contribute to the development of otalgia in some individuals 2, 4
Sympathetic Nervous System Responses to Cold Stress
- Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) increases during cold stress in older adults, but not in young adults 5
- The sympathetic response to cold stress alone and in combination with isometric exercise is unknown, but it is possible that the sympathetic nervous system plays a role in the development of otalgia during physical activity in cold temperatures 5