Calculation of mean body temperature

Abstract

Four young male subjects were exposed for 1 h to environmental temperatures of 8.5 °C, 14.0 °C, and 20.0 °C while lying on a rope mesh cot. During exposure they wore swimming trunks only. Heat production, skin temperature at seven locations, and rectal temperature were measured. Mean body temperatures (MBT) and heat debts were calculated from Burton's equations and also from equations determining radiative, convective, and evaporative heat losses. It was found that a linear equation with constant coefficients, such as Burton's, for measuring MBT does not allow for the fact that in the non-steady state the body continues to lose heat even though the skin temperature is relatively constant. During the initial period of cold exposure the coefficient of skin temperature when calculating MBT should be much smaller than at later stages in the cooling.