Think Layers When Dressing for Exercise in the Cold.

Abstract

Whether or not you get cold during outdoor activities depends on certain factors including environmental conditions, how much heat your body produces, and whether your body conserves or loses that heat. Humans have two primary physiological responses to cold: vasoconstriction and shivering. Vasoconstriction decreases blood flow to the skin, reducing the rate of heat loss. Shivering increases body beat production. Although these mechanisms maintain body temperature during brief, mild cold exposure, humans really depend on "behavioral thermoregulation," such as shelter, clothing and physical activity, to stay warm. By wearing clothing with appropriate insulation and wind protection, and by generating heat thorough physical activity, people can continue to exercise throughout the coldest months of the year.