W. Larry Kenney

Professor of Physiology and Kinesiology

W. Larry Kenney

Research Summary

Environmental and exercise physiology, particularly human thermoregulation, skin blood flow, and the biophysics of heat exchange.

Huck Affiliations

Publication Tags

Heat Skin Hot Temperature Temperature Heat Shock Response Physical Activity Light Heating Exercise Nitric Oxide Young Adult Sweating Health Vasodilation Project Folic Acid Index Blood Vessels Reflex Skin Temperature Maintenance Infrared Rays Weather Humidity Biological Availability

Most Recent Publications

Dam health effects: Drinking water salinity is a key risk factor for hypertension and dilute urine among Daasanach pastoralists in Northern Kenya

A Rosinger, William Kenney,

Scientific basis for a milk permeate-based sports drink – a critical review

Craig Berry, William Kenney, International Dairy Journal

Correction to: Utility of the Heat Index in defining the upper limits of thermal balance during light physical activity (PSU HEAT Project) (International Journal of Biometeorology, (2022), 66, 9, (1759-1769), 10.1007/s00484-022-02316-z)

Daniel J. Vecellio, S. Tony Wolf, Rachel M. Cottle, W. Larry Kenney, 2022, International Journal of Biometeorology on p. 2567-2568

Core temperature responses to compensable versus uncompensable heat stress in young adults (PSU HEAT Project)

Rachel M. Cottle, Zachary S. Lichter, Daniel J. Vecellio, S. Tony Wolf, W. Larry Kenney, 2022, Journal of Applied Physiology on p. 1011-1018

Thermal physiology, more relevant than ever before

W. Larry Kenney, George Havenith, Ollie Jay, 2022, Journal of Applied Physiology on p. 676-678

Skin pigmentation is negatively associated with circulating vitamin D concentration and cutaneous microvascular endothelial function

S. Tony Wolf, Gabrielle A. Dillon, Lacy M. Alexander, Nina G. Jablonski, W. Larry Kenney, 2022, American Journal of Physiology on p. 490-498

Utility of the Heat Index in defining the upper limits of thermal balance during light physical activity (PSU HEAT Project)

Daniel J. Vecellio, S. Tony Wolf, Rachel M. Cottle, W. Larry Kenney, 2022, International Journal of Biometeorology on p. 1759-1769

Critical Environmental Limit Protocol

Rachel M. Cottle, S. T. Wolf, Zachary S. Lichter, W. L. Kenney, 2022, FASEB Journal

Critical Environmental Limits for Young, Healthy Adults (PSU HEAT)

S. T. Wolf, Rachel M. Cottle, Daniel J. Vecellio, W. L. Kenney, 2022, FASEB Journal

Systemic Cardiovascular Adjustments during Recovery from Passive Heat Stress

Emily A. Larson, Brendan W. Kaiser, Emma L. Reed, Brandon M. Gibson, Jessica K. Atencio, Christopher L. Chapman, W. Larry Kenney, John R. Halliwill, Christopher T. Minson, 2022, FASEB Journal

Most-Cited Papers

National athletic trainers' association position statement: Fluid replacement for the physically active

Brendon P. McDermott, Scott A. Anderson, Lawrence E. Armstrong, Douglas J. Casa, Samuel N. Cheuvront, Larry Cooper, W. Larry Kenney, Francis G. O'Connor, William O. Roberts, 2017, Journal of Athletic Training on p. 877-895

Heat waves aging and human cardiovascular health

W. Larry Kenney, Daniel H. Craighead, Lacy M. Alexander, 2014, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise on p. 1891-1899

Role of folic acid in nitric oxide bioavailability and vascular endothelial function

Anna E. Stanhewicz, W. Larry Kenney, 2017, Nutrition Reviews on p. 61-70

Nonuniform, age-related decrements in regional sweating and skin blood flow

C Smith, Lacy Alexander, W. Larry Kenney, 2013, American Journal of Physiology on p. R877-R885

Determinants of water and sodium intake and output

Anna E. Stanhewicz, W. Larry Kenney, 2015, Nutrition Reviews on p. 73-82

Sympathetic regulation during thermal stress in human aging and disease

Jody L. Greaney, W. Larry Kenney, Lacy M. Alexander, 2015, Journal of the Autonomic Nervous System on p. 81-90

Folic acid supplementation improves microvascular function in older adults through nitric oxide-dependent mechanisms

Anna E. Stanhewicz, Lacy M. Alexander, W. Larry Kenney, 2015, Clinical Science on p. 159-167

Aspirin and clopidogrel alter core temperature and skin blood flow during heat stress

Rebecca S. Bruning, Jessica D. Dahmus, W. Larry Kenney, Lacy M. Alexander, 2013, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise on p. 674-682

Regional relation between skin blood flow and sweating to passive heating and local administration of acetylcholine in young, healthy humans

Caroline J. Smith, W. Larry Kenney, Lacy M. Alexander, 2013, American Journal of Physiology on p. R566-R573

Impaired increases in skin sympathetic nerve activity contribute to age-related decrements in reflex cutaneous vasoconstriction

Jody L. Greaney, Anna E. Stanhewicz, William Kenney, Lacy M. Alexander, 2015, Journal of Physiology on p. 2199-2211

News Articles Featuring W. Larry Kenney

Sep 07, 2022

Sweating keeps you cool, but climate change is making it harder

Our bodies couldn't endure the summer heat without sweating. But as the climate gets hotter, sweat isn't cooling us off like it used to.

Full Article

Aug 02, 2022

Hot and getting hotter – 5 essential reads on high temps and human bodies

Launching the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) and the heat.gov site on July 26, 2022, the Biden administration cited heat waves and the warming climate as serious health threats.

Full Article

Jul 31, 2022

Why you need to worry about the ‘wet-bulb temperature’

Scientists think we need to pay attention to a measure of heat and humidity – and it’s edging closer to the limits of human survivability

Full Article

Jul 30, 2022

Will Hot Drinks Keep You Cool on Hot Days?

Or is the idea an old wives' tale?

Full Article

Jul 26, 2022

Unprecedented Heat And Stressed Grids Make Dangerous Power Outages Increasingly Likely

The electric bill Chantel Watkins pays every month costs more than a week of groceries for her family of four. Yet at any given moment, the power might flicker off, setting in motion a series of expensive and potentially deadly events.

Full Article

Jul 24, 2022

Why Extreme Heat Is So Bad for the Human Body

Blistering temperatures aren’t just uncomfortable. They can quickly escalate to become life-threatening: According to data from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers, more than 700 people nationwide died from heat-related causes annually from 2004 to 2018.

Full Article

Jul 19, 2022

Equilibrium/Sustainability — Wind farm targets picturesque Spanish seascape

The jagged Mediterranean shores from which Salvador Dalí produced some of his most celebrated work may soon become host to a disputed wind farm. Spanish government officials are preparing to approve the construction of a massive floating wind farm offshore of Port Lligat, a town about 100 miles north of Barcelona, The New York Times reported.

Full Article

Jul 19, 2022

Why 100-degree heat is so dangerous in the United Kingdom

This week, it was hotter than ever in the United Kingdom. On Tuesday, parts of England hit a temperature above 40 degrees Celsius – or 104 degrees Fahrenheit — a first in the U.K.'s recorded history.

Full Article

Jul 19, 2022

Young, healthy adults are vulnerable to high heat and humidity, too, Penn State study finds

The sun is blazing. The temperature is rising. You’re soaked with sweat. Ugh. But is it more than a matter of discomfort? Researchers at Pennsylvania State University are finding out that we humans can’t withstand as much heat and humidity as once thought.

Full Article

Jul 12, 2022

How hot is too hot for humans? The answer depends on more than the temperature.

Heat waves are becoming supercharged as the climate changes — lasting longer, becoming more frequent, and getting just plain hotter. One question a lot of people are asking is: “When will it get too hot for normal daily activity as we know it, even for young, healthy adults?”

Full Article