Computer model for heat stress prediction during physical activity

The study of thermal status in man during physical activity in hot environment is actual task as the metabolic heat rate increases essentially and it appears danger of hyperthermia. Modeling is the scientific method that allows to get preliminary answer and to avoid health hazard. The purpose of this paper is to develop and to test new mathematical model for prediction of temperature dynamics of man during human performance in hot environment. It focuses on combined challenge of physical activity and hot environment. The new model takes into consideration exercise intensity and exposure time, environmental characteristics - air temperature, relative humidity and wind velocity. The model represents thermoregulatory responses to exercise and hot environment: vasodilatation of skin to transfer metabolic heat from core to surface and sweating to dissipate heat through sweat evaporation in environment. The model takes into account heat production, heat transfer and heat exchange with environment. The model provides opportunity to obtain recommendations and conclusions on the danger to continue performance in given environment.