A mathematical model of physiological temperature regulation in man

Abstract

A dynamic mathematical model is presented of physiological rcgulation of body tcmpcroture in man.A total of 2 5 nodes is used t o represent the thermal characteristics of the body, with four nodes each representing the head, trunk, arms, hands, legs and feet.The twenty-fifth node represents t h e central blood.Each node has the appropriate metabolic heat production, convective heat exchange with the central blood compartments, and conductive heat exchange with adjacent compartments.The outer nodes represent the skin and exchange heat with the environment via radiation, convection and evaporation.In the model the thermoregulatory system receives temperature signals from a l l compartments and after integration and processing the system c a u s e s appropriate commands to be sent t o a l l appropriate compartments changing metabolic heat production, blood flow or the rate of sweat secretion.The model is presented in the form of a documented FORTRAN program.Simulations of experimental exposures t o s t e p changes in environmental temperature at r e s t and of 30 minute exercise bouts a t 2 5 , 50 and 75 percent of maximum aerobic capacity at different ambient temperatures are compared with actual results.17.