Normal Physiological Range for Core Body Temperature
The human body maintains its core temperature within a remarkably narrow range to ensure optimal functioning of vital processes. Let's dive into understanding this crucial physiological parameter!
The Normal Range
The normal core body temperature range in humans is:
- $36.1°C$ to $37.2°C$ ($97.0°F$ to $99.0°F$)
- The commonly cited average is $37.0°C$ ($98.6°F$)
Core temperature is different from skin temperature, which can vary much more widely depending on environmental conditions.
Daily Variations
Your core body temperature isn't static - it follows a daily pattern:
- Lowest in the early morning (around 4-6 AM)
- Highest in the late afternoon/early evening (4-6 PM)
- The variation can be up to $0.5°C$ ($0.9°F$)
Athletes often perform better in the late afternoon when their core temperature is naturally higher, as this can improve muscle function and metabolic processes.
