Life SciencesAnatomyPhysiologyHeat TransferRegional AnatomyThermal ComfortBody CompositionHeat StressHeat Stress AssessmentHeat Stress PhysiologyThermal PhysiologyAnthropometric ModelingCutaneous Heat ExchangeHeat Flow AnalysisHeat LossHeat Loss AnalysisHeat Transfer In TissuesSkin Temperature MeasurementSkinfold Thickness Measurement
Five male subjects having a wide range of relative body fat, 9.2-20.2%, were studied during total body immersion in water at 25.2 degrees C. The regional surface area of each subject was calculated from anthropometric data utilizing a segmental geometric model. Skin temperatures (Tsk) and regional skin heat loss were measured prior to and during 30 min immersion at 13 sites. During immersion, mean Tsk was 25.9 degrees C and remained significantly higher than the water temperature. A measurable temperature gradient for heat flow was observed from all body segments. Segimental temperature in water ranged from 26.7-25.4 degrees C, being warmest at the neck and coolest at the foot. Heat the flow per regional area was highest in the neck, 187 W/m2, and least at the foot, 12 W/m2. Heat flow from each body region was dependent on regional Tsk. Skinfold thickness was a minor factor in altering regional heat flow in the foot, hand, lower arm, upper arm, thigh, and calf; in the torso, neck, and head regions it was of major importance in detering heat loss.