• Question: Why do we sweat after running around?

    Asked by jb to Claire, Liad, Ruth, Ryan, Mako on 13 Jun 2015.
    • Photo: Ryan Cheale

      Ryan Cheale answered on 13 Jun 2015:

      Sweat is the natural way your body tries to cool itself!

    • Photo: Claire Bryer

      Claire Bryer answered on 14 Jun 2015:

      The reason we sweat is to cool us down during exercise. Moving your muscles makes a lot of heat which you need to get rid of. By your sweat glands pumping out water, the heat can escape more easily into the air and cools you down.

      Different animals have different ways to cool themselves down. Dogs stick out their tongue and pant to get rid of heat. Pigs can’t sweat so they roll in the mud to make them cooler!

      Sometimes people also sweat when they are nervous. This is because of a thing called the ‘fight or flight’ response. This means you are so scared you are ready to run away, and your brain prepares for running away by making you sweat!

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