The Army Training System - AskTOP

and to monitor heart rates when running,especially in hot, humid conditions.Some important changes occur as aresult of acclimatization to a hot climate.The following physical adaptationshelp the body cope with a hotenvironment● Sweating occurs at a lower bodytemperature.● Sweat production is increased.● Blood volume is increased.● Heart rate is less at any given workrate.Exercising in ColdEnvironmentsContrary to popular belief, there arefew real dangers in exercising at temperatureswell below freezing. Sincethe body produces large amounts ofheat during exercise, it has little troublemaintaining a normal temperature.There is no danger of freezing thelungs. However, without proper precautions,hypothermia, frostbite, anddehydration can occur.HYPOTHERMIAIf the body’s core temperature dropsbelow normal, its ability to regulate itstemperature can become impaired orlost. This condition is called hypothermia.It develops because the bodycannot produce heat as fast as it is losingit. This can lead to death. The chanceof a soldier becoming hypothermic is amajor threat any time he is exposed tothe cold.Some symptoms of hypothermia areshivering, loss of judgment, slurredspeech, drowsiness, and muscle weakness.During exercise in the cold, peopleusually produce enough heat to maintainnormal body temperature. As they getfatigued, however, they slow down andtheir bodies produce less heat. Also,people often overdress for exercise inthe cold. This makes the body sweat.The sweat dampens the clothing next tothe skin making it a good conductor ofheat. The combination of decreased heatproduction and increased heat loss cancause a rapid onset of hypothermia.Some guidelines for dressing for coldweather exercise are shown in Figure12-1.Hypothermia developswhen the body cannotproduce heat as fast asit is losing it.GUIDELINES FOR DRESSING FOR EXERCISE IN THE COLDClothing for cold weather should protect,insulate, and ventilate.●●●Protect by covering as large an area ofthe body as possible.Insulation will occur by trapping airwhich has been warmed by the bodyand holding it near the skin.Ventilate by allowing a two-wayexchange of air through the variouslayers of clothing.40% HEAT LOSS THROUGH HEAD J:q(([l’AND NECK WHEN UNCOVEREDt i=$LIGHIWEIGHTWARM-UPS(NOT WATERPROOF)Clothing should leave your body slightlycool rather than hot.\/ “Clothing should also be loose enough to /allow movement.i l lClothing soaked with perspiration shouldbe removed if reasonably possible.FEET SHOULDBE KEPT DRY J ! ! ! !Figure 12-112-2