http://theboard.byu.edu/questions/63794/
Would anyone here like to take a stab at the more scientific aspects of my question?
63794 - Acclimatization
Moderator: Marduk
Re: 63794 - Acclimatization
Oh shoot, I starred that one because I remember talking about it in physiology classes, but I guess I missed answering it before it posted.
Off the top of my head, I know of a few major physiological changes that happen in humans: when going into a hotter climate, the amount and chemical constitution of sweat change (usually more sweat, and it gets less salty). Some vascular stuff changes (I think the heart pumps slower or something, and I feel like surface blood vessels might change too but I can't remember exactly what happens). Obviously a lot of behavioral stuff changes as well: you get used to wearing less clothing, you choose to be less active, and you do less random activity (things like leg-jiggling and toe-tapping decrease). I have this vague feeling that sleep patterns change but I honestly can't remember if that actually happens or if I'm just thinking about people in Spain having siestas.
Anyway, I thought this was a cool question, but 100 hours always comes so fast! I will try to look up some actual articles about this in the next couple days (and if anyone else knows more about this or has any good sources, I'd love to read more!).
Off the top of my head, I know of a few major physiological changes that happen in humans: when going into a hotter climate, the amount and chemical constitution of sweat change (usually more sweat, and it gets less salty). Some vascular stuff changes (I think the heart pumps slower or something, and I feel like surface blood vessels might change too but I can't remember exactly what happens). Obviously a lot of behavioral stuff changes as well: you get used to wearing less clothing, you choose to be less active, and you do less random activity (things like leg-jiggling and toe-tapping decrease). I have this vague feeling that sleep patterns change but I honestly can't remember if that actually happens or if I'm just thinking about people in Spain having siestas.
Anyway, I thought this was a cool question, but 100 hours always comes so fast! I will try to look up some actual articles about this in the next couple days (and if anyone else knows more about this or has any good sources, I'd love to read more!).
Re: 63794 - Acclimatization
Ok, this article mentions a whole bunch of responses that happen when adjusting to heat. It says that even while not exercising, you'll start sweating earlier, you'll get better at losing heat through your skin (I think that's related to what I was thinking of in previous comment when I mentioned surface vasculature changes), and you decrease your core temperature (probably mostly as a result of the two changes just mentioned). If you're exercising in the heat, even more noticeable physiological changes happen (see Table 1 on that link).
Presumably all of those adaptations would need to reverse when you return to a colder environment. Another thing I thought of: it's possible that if you're bundling up to stay warm all the time, your body might not get that much of a chance to acclimatize to the cold. I'm not a doctor, but I do think that true adjustments to the cold might require being uncomfortably cold for a few days or weeks before your body decides it really needs to change the way it's working. I'm definitely not recommending sitting in a walk-in freezer, but maybe you could gradually banish your winter clothes (e.g., trying to wear short sleeves when it's above 75, shorts above 80) and see how that works.
Presumably all of those adaptations would need to reverse when you return to a colder environment. Another thing I thought of: it's possible that if you're bundling up to stay warm all the time, your body might not get that much of a chance to acclimatize to the cold. I'm not a doctor, but I do think that true adjustments to the cold might require being uncomfortably cold for a few days or weeks before your body decides it really needs to change the way it's working. I'm definitely not recommending sitting in a walk-in freezer, but maybe you could gradually banish your winter clothes (e.g., trying to wear short sleeves when it's above 75, shorts above 80) and see how that works.
Re: 63794 - Acclimatization
Thanks, Eirene!
Re: 63794 - Acclimatization
I too found this subject interesting.