Open research questions in Thermoregulation and physiological responses
38 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 503 Thermoregulation and physiological responses papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.
What the literature leaves open
However, the extent to which the human cochlea can actually be cooled, and the mechanisms underlying MTH, remain unclear, in part because blood perfusion is expected to oppose localized cooling.
Physiological limits of localized hypothermia in the human cochlea: The role of vascular heat transport · 2026 · DOIFuture research should focus on the implementation and systematic evaluation of heat action plans in hospitals, including the effectiveness of technical, organizational and educational interventions, to support evidence-based heat adaptation strategies under increasing climate-related heat exposure.
Occupational heat stress in hospital settings: a combined assessment of staff perceptions and indoor climate to support heat action planning · 2026 · DOIResponses to existing therapeutic approaches vary widely: some patients respond effectively, whereas others appear to derive little long-term benefit[13].
The Effect of the Human Regenerator Jet Device on the Quality of Life of Adult Individuals · 2026 · DOIWe propose that the SNS-RAAS axis represents a central regulatory pathway underlying cold-induced hemodynamic changes, warranting further investigation to clarify its contribution to cold-related cardiovascular pathology.
Advances in understanding cold-related hemodynamic changes in the cardiovascular system · 2026 · DOIAdditionally, patient-facing elec- tronic medical record access was not explored in this study but may represent a practical avenue for addressing the information gaps described by individuals living with heart failure, particularly in the period following hospital discharge, and warrants investiga- tion in future research.
The enduring heat intolerance observed in military personnel represents a multifaceted following exertional heatstroke pathophysiological phenomenon, characterized by regulatory imbalances across various systems and levels. This chronic state is fundamentally distinct from the acute phase of heatstroke, underscoring the necessity for tailored assessment frameworks and intervention strategies aimed at restoring heat tolerance post-exertional heat illness. Advancing the field requires a focus on three pivotal areas: Firstly, there is a critical need for an in- depth exploration of the mechanisms underpinning persistent heat intolerance. This includes elucidating the temporal and causal relationships among the diverse pathological components involved. Such insights are essential for developing targeted interventions. Secondly, cutting-edge technologies, such as wearable devices, multi-omics research, and biomarker identification, should be leveraged to refine rehabilitation protocols. The goal is to shift from a “one-size- fits-all” approach to one that is personalized and dynamically tolerance precise, restoration. Lastly, there should be a concerted effort to conduct multicenter studies. These studies are vital for aggregating the efficacy of heat thereby enhancing integration of the high-quality, evidence-based medical data. They will facilitate the continuous optimization of heat tolerance rebuilding processes and ultimately enhance the rate of successful return to duty for individuals who have suffered from heatstroke.
The difference between USG among the exposed and non-exposed workers and the increase in USG during midday work show the sensitivity of this measure in different thermal and climatic conditions, whereas, the high level of dehydration among workers despite acceptable TWL level, shows that heat stress management without considering the real hydration status of workers, is insufficient.
OBJECTIVE: To characterize serum IL-6 responses to water immersion at 2 temperatures and, therefore, to initiate further research into the multidimensional benefits of immersion and the evidence-based selection of specific, optimal immersion conditions by athletic trainers.
Interleukin-6 Responses to Water Immersion Therapy After Acute Exercise Heat Stress: A Pilot Investigation · 2012 · DOICurrent methods of describing evaporative heat exchange with PPC are insufficient, will overestimate evaporative heat loss and should not be recommended.
Future studies are needed to survey healthcare professionals to better understand their awareness of heat-related symptom worsening and potential barriers to counselling on cooling methods.
Keeping cool – how persons with MS manage heat sensitivity: Insights from the Swiss multiple sclerosis registry · 2026 · DOIAlthough several investigations have examined fluid balance and electrolyte regulation in Comrades Marathon runners, surprisingly little is known about their nutritional strategies or the specific metabolic demands imposed by this unique race.
The Comrades Marathon: a narrative review of physiological responses and health implications in the world’s oldest ultra-marathon · 2026 · DOIIndeed, young children demonstrate distinct patterns of regional sweating compared to adults, but little is known about this pattern maturation throughout puberty.
The maturation of regional sweating patterns from childhood to young adulthood in females · 2026 · DOIA recently developed wireless sensor, the eTemp Performance (BodyCAP, France), claims to address these limitations but has not been validated independently.
Accuracy of next‐generation wireless skin temperature sensors during exercise–heat stress · 2026 · DOIThe mechanisms underlying neuromuscular and thermal stress responses remain unclear, particularly regarding the influence of exposure duration and differences between active and passive heating modalities.
The Effect of Temperature Manipulation on Skeletal Muscle Function and Thermal Stress Responses in Young Males · 2025 · DOIBackground: The influence of homeostatically regulated physiological processes, including cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), on the response to physical stressors such as acclimatisation and marching, remains understudied.
Cardiorespiratory fitness mediates cortisol and lactate responses to winter and summer marches · 2023 · DOIIt would seem that in view of this flagrant disregard for the evidence base that is available, and given that the available evidence is certainly flawed, further investigation of this easily performed and inexpensive technique is warranted.
CONTEXT: The protective equipment worn during American football has been shown to increase thermal strain; however, the perception of this increased heat has not been examined.
Although results indicate the necessity for further research on a variety of potentially influential factors such as acclimatization, the current summary provides effect size estimates that should be useful in respect to protecting individuals exposed to adverse thermal conditions.
Specific models have not been adequately tested, but the excitation transfer/misattribution and cognitive neoassociation approaches appear most promising, whereas the negative affect escape appears the least viable.
Temperature and aggression: Ubiquitous effects of heat on occurrence of human violence. · 1989 · DOIProblems in prevention of heat casual ties in recruits which still remain to be solved are the relatively high incidence of casualties in the early weeks of training and the con tinued occurrence of heat stroke in small but important numbers.
Most-cited papers in Thermoregulation and physiological responses
- Temperature and aggression: Ubiquitous effects of heat on occurrence of human violence. · Psychological Bulletin · 1989 · 339 citations
- A Meta-Analysis of Performance Response Under Thermal Stressors · Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society · 2007 · 303 citations
- Mechanisms and efficacy of heat and cold therapies for musculoskeletal injury · Postgraduate Medicine · 2014 · 227 citations
- Impact of Weather on Marathon-Running Performance · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · 2007 · 223 citations
- Soft tissue thermodynamics before, during, and after cold pack therapy · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · 2002 · 112 citations
- The effects of different thermal environments on the physiological and psychological responses of firefighters to a training drill · Ergonomics · 1997 · 102 citations
- Protective clothing and heat stress · Ergonomics · 1995 · 91 citations
- Temperature–Color Interaction: Subjective Indoor Environmental Perception and Physiological Responses in Virtual Reality · Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society · 2020 · 90 citations
- Perceptual and physiological heat strain: Examination in firefighters in laboratory- and field-based studies · Ergonomics · 2009 · 71 citations
- Is Oral Temperature an Accurate Measurement of Deep Body Temperature? A Systematic Review · Journal of Athletic Training · 2011 · 64 citations
Most recent work
- Impairment of cutaneous microcirculation and vasoreactivity in primary hypothyroidism · Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation · 2026
- Identifying the interaction between skin temperature, maintained thermal comfort, and conduit artery shear rate through limb passive heating · Physiological Reports · 2026
- The relationship between temperature, relative humidity, and productivity in workplace settings · Building Research & Information · 2026
- Acute weight cycling and hydration status in elite kickboxers: a repeated-measures field study · BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation · 2026
- Advances in understanding cold-related hemodynamic changes in the cardiovascular system · Frigid Zone Medicine · 2026
- The maturation of regional sweating patterns from childhood to young adulthood in females · Experimental Physiology · 2026
- Mechanisms and Intervention Strategies for Heat Stroke-Associated Myocardial Dysfunction: A Narrative Review · Western Journal of Emergency Medicine · 2026
- Heat Tolerance Limits in Indoor Environments: Prolonged Fixed‐Condition Exposure Versus Humidity‐Ramp Protocols · Safety Science and Technology · 2026
- Common and Divergent Physiological Responses to Hypoxia and Heat · Sports Medicine · 2026
- The Comrades Marathon: a narrative review of physiological responses and health implications in the world’s oldest ultra-marathon · Frontiers in Physiology · 2026
Find a gap in your own Thermoregulation and physiological responses sub-topic
This page shows what the Thermoregulation and physiological responses literature already flags as unresolved. To narrow it to your specific question, run the guided finder — it searches the gap library on demand and checks candidates against 250M+ OpenAlex works.
Open the Research Gap Finder →