How to Maintain Homeostasis During Exercising

The hypothalamus is the part of your brain that basically acts as a thermostat for your body, monitoring and regulating core body temperature. During exercise, your core temperature rises as you consume fuel and produce energy. In extreme temperatures, your temperature could reach dangerous levels, but you can take steps to maintain homeostasis, or constant temperature, in the midst of intense exercise.

Things You'll Need

  • Water
  • Appropriate clothing
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prevent unnecessary heat loss or conservation by dressing appropriately for your environment. In cold conditions, wear thermal clothing and insulate your core and extremities to prevent heat loss. Most of the heat your body loses comes from your head, so wear a hat. When working out on a hot summer day, wear shorts and a light tank top or T-shirt to encourage heat loss.

    • 2

      Drink more water when exercising, no matter what temperature you work out in. Especially in hot temperatures, it's important to stay hydrated, since water is the main cooling source your nervous system uses to regulate internal temperature through sweating. Generally, you need an extra 1 or 2 cups of water when exercising to make up for the water you lose through sweat. This loss will be exaggerated in the heat, so bring a water bottle with you if you hit the beach for a run.

    • 3

      Watch your heart rate when you exercise. The higher your heart rate, the higher your core temperature will rise. Intense workouts such as sprinting and kettlebell routines push you into the anaerobic work zone, which makes it much harder to regulate core temperature and maintain homeostasis.

    • 4

      Pay attention to warning signs of a core temperature imbalance. Extreme imbalances in core temperature can lead to life-threatening conditions such as hypothermia, dehydration and heatstroke. In the heat, nausea, confusion, dizziness and severe muscle cramps are warning signs. In cold weather, find a place to warm up if you start to shiver or if you begin to feel numbness in your extremities.