Winter Olympians often compete in freezing temperatures, and physiology and advances in materials science help keep them warm

the Winter Olympic Games and Paralympics On us again. This year, the Games will be held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, where the weather forecast calls for temperatures in the upper 30s to mid-40s F (1 to 10 C).

These temperatures are warmer than one might expect in winter, especially in mountainous areas. They are warm enough that athletes need to adjust how they prepare their equipment for competition, yet still cool enough to affect the physiology of athletes and spectators alike.

your Biological anthropologist and Material worldWe are interested in how the human body responds to different conditions and… How materials can help People improve performance and address health challenges. Both elements will play a key role for Olympic athletes hoping to reach their peak in Italy.

Athletes in the cold

Athletes participating in outdoor events are no strangers to cold and unpredictable weather conditions. It is an integral part of their sport. Although this year’s athletes are unlikely to be exposed to extreme cold, outdoor conditions will It still affects its performance.

One concern is dehydration, which can be less noticeable, as sweating is usually less frequent and intense in cold conditions. However, cold temperatures also mean lower relative humidity. This dry air means the body needs to use more of it Its own water to humidify the air Before it reaches the sensitive lungs. Athletes who breathe heavily during competition lose more body water this way than they would in more moderate conditions.

When the body is cold, the body also tends to constrict blood vessels to better maintain core body temperature. Narrower blood vessels lose less heat to cold air, but this causes the body to push more fluid out of the circulation toward the kidneys. Which then increases urine production.

Although athletes may not sweat as much as they do in warmer temperatures, they still sweat. Athletes wear clothing to improve their performance and protect themselves from the cold. Layers of clothing and materials used combined with the heat generated by physical activity can lead to sweating and create a hot, humid space between an athlete’s body and what they are wearing.

This space is not only another site of water loss, but also a place Potential problem For athletes who need to participate in different rounds or rounds of their competitions – for example, preliminary skiing or snowboarding heats.

These athletes are physically active, sweat, and then wait for the next heat. During this waiting period, the wet layer of sweat will make them more vulnerable to losing body heat and developing cold conditions such as frostbite or hypothermia. Athletes must stay warm between rounds of competition.

Learn about winter clothing

Staying warm is all about choosing materials and construction.

Many clothing companies adopt Three-tier system approach To keep the wearer warm, dry and comfortable. Specifically, there is an underlayer – which is in direct contact with the skin – and is usually composed of a synthetic fabric that wicks away moisture. Like nylon Or natural fabric Like wool.

The second layer in winter clothing is generally a breathable insulating layer to trap warm air generated by the body and slow heat loss. Great options for this are fleece and down.

The final layer is the outer layer of protection, which keeps you dry and protected from the elements. This must be the layer Waterproof and breathable To keep the inner insulating layers dry but at the same time allow sweat to escape. Polyester and acrylic are good options here, as they are lightweight, durable and moisture-resistant.

The clothing worn by athletes can be customized to their needs. For example, the synthetic fabrics used in the inner layer are versatile, and engineers can offer new properties and functions to users. Adding a specific coating to a fabric like nylon can give it new properties – such as wind and water resistance.

Often, scientists add synthetic fibers and coatings to it It consists of polymersThey are long chains of molecules. They can be man-made or petroleum-based, such as garbage bags made of polyethylene, polyester, and Teflon. But polymers can also be natural and derived from nature. Your DNA and the proteins in your body are examples of polymers.

In addition to polymer technology, traditional battery-powered heating vests are also an option.

Smart materials

As an added bonus, there’s also a class of smart materials called Phase change materials Which are made from polymers and composite materials. It automatically absorbs excess body heat when too much is produced and releases it back into the body when needed to passively regulate your body temperature. These materials release or absorb heat As it transitions between solid and liquid states and responds to the body’s natural signals.

Phase change materials They are less about warming you up. Instead, it works to maintain your temperature balance.

Although it is not commonly used in clothing worn by athletes, NASA I have been experimenting with them for a long time and a lot Commercially available products Take advantage of this technology. Cooling fabrics, such as bedding and towels, are often made of phase change textiles because they do not cause overheating.

The risks to the rest of us

Athletes are not the only ones at risk of catching a cold.

While most of us will be watching the games in the comfort of indoor heating, thousands of people and support staff will be watching or working at those outdoor events in person. Unlike athletes, these individuals will not gain the added benefit of their bodies producing excess heat from exercise. Non-athletes attending will be at greater risk in the cold.

If you plan to watch or work at an event this winter, drink more water than usual and time your bathroom breaks accordingly. Plan to wear several layers of clothing that you can add and remove as needed, and pay special attention to the most vulnerable parts of the body, such as Hands and feet And the nose.

Cooler temperatures Stimulate a variety of metabolic responses in the body. One example of this is tremblingcaused by small muscle contractions that produce heat. Your body Brown adipose tissue – a type of fat – is also active and produces heat instead of energy.

Both actions burn extra calories, so expect to feel hungrier if you’ve been out for a while. Trips to the bathroom or to get food are a good opportunity to warm up — especially those hands and feet.

It’s easy to view Olympians as exceptional athletes at the mercy of Mother Nature’s cold wrath. However, the natural physiology of the human body and the impressive advances scientists have made in winter clothing technology will keep these athletes warm and performing at their best.