The Thermodynamics of Exercise Science

Abstract

This article describes the “human body engine” via a thermodynamics-based model that considers the work associated with gas pressure, volume and temperature changes for the glucose-based equation of respiration. The efficacy of the model is supported by prior studies that: accurately predict the slow component of oxygen uptake kinetics; quantitatively explain observed race splitting strategies within endurance events; and accurately predict maximum velocities in endurance swimming. These prior studies are summarized by the review component of the present article which additionally presents new temperature-dependent efficiency implications especially relevant for heat-affected athletes. The new model implications support reported experimental observations and also potentially provide quantified clarity to an area of exercise physiology research known to be challenged by opposing experimental findings, thus providing further support for model efficacy. A 0.32% efficiency decline per 1 oC increase in core body temperature is predicted. The model is also applied to the “ice slurry ingestion” regime which reportedly offers significant performance advantages (greater than that predicted by the model based on core temperature change alone) for endurance athletes competing in the heat, and the model reconciles with such advantages when ice slurry effect on arterial exchange temperatures and partial pressures are incorporated.

Keywords

• Exercise; oxygen uptake; temperature; thermodynamics.

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