Thermoregulatory responses during a marathon. A case study of a woman runner.

Rectal temperatures (Tre) of 400C and greater have been recorded from men immediately after completing marathon (42.2 km) races (Pugh, Corbett et al, 1967; Costill, Kammer et al, 1970; Wyndham, Strydom, 1969). Data on two male runners suggest that after an early initial rise in Tre, a high Tre (390C to 410C) is maintained throughout the run (Maron, Wagner et al, 1977). To provide information concerning the thermoregulatory responses of women during a marathon run, Tre (10 cm beyond the anal sphincter), and thigh temperature (Tth, anterior, mid-thigh) were measured from a moderately trained (48 to 65 km * wkI1, V02 max = 56.3 ml * kg . min -1) 38 year old woman runner.