Dr. W. Larry Kenney is the Marie Underhill Noll Chair in Human Performance and a Professor of Physiology and Kinesiology at Penn State, internationally recognized for his expertise in human thermoregulation and the health impacts of heat. His pioneering research explores how the body responds to heat stress, with a special focus on vulnerable populations and the growing risks posed by climate change.
In the News
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Recent Publications
Low-dose ASA therapy does not alter core or skin temperature during hot-dry or warm-humid heat stress (PSU HEAT project)
Fisher, K. G., Leach, O. K., Cottle, R. M., Alexander, L. M. & Kenney, W. L., May 2025, In: Physiological reports. 13, 9, e70375.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
How to train your graduate students to (want to) win you awards
Kenney, W. L., Jan 2025, In: Journal of applied physiology. 138, 1, p. 270-273 4 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review
Manuscript writing for dummies: like sands through the hourglass
Kenney, W. L., Mar 1 2025, In: Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985). 138, 3, p. 718-719 2 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review
A Novel Conceptual Model for Human Heat Tolerance
Bernard, T. E., Wolf, S. T. & Kenney, W. L., Apr 1 2024, In: Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews. 52, 2, p. 39-46 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Critical environmental core temperature limits and heart rate thresholds across the adult age span (PSU HEAT Project)
Cottle, R. M., Fisher, K. G., Leach, O. K., Wolf, S. T. & Kenney, W. L., Jul 2024, In: Journal of applied physiology. 137, 1, p. 145-153 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Lower maximal skin wettedness in both warm-humid and hot-dry environments with advanced age (PSU HEAT project)
Fisher, K. G., Vecellio, D. J., Cottle, R. M., Leach, O. K., Wolf, S. T. & Kenney, W. L., Dec 2024, In: Journal of applied physiology. 137, 6, p. 1549-1553 5 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Sunscreen does not alter sweating responses or critical environmental limits in young adults (PSU HEAT project)
Fisher, K. G., Cottle, R. M., Kenney, W. L. & Wolf, S. T., 2024, In: Journal of applied physiology. 136, 2, p. 322-329 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
The effect of prescription and over-the-counter medications on core temperature in adults during heat stress: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Hospers, L., Dillon, G. A., McLachlan, A. J., Alexander, L. M., Kenney, W. L., Capon, A., Ebi, K. L., Ashworth, E., Jay, O. & Mavros, Y., Nov 2024, In: EClinicalMedicine. 77, 102886.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Sex differences in heat stress vulnerability among middle-aged and older adults (PSU HEAT Project)
Leach, O. K., Cottle, R. M., Fisher, K. G., Wolf, S. T. & Kenney, W. L., Sep 2024, In: American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology. 327, 3, p. R320-R327Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Why not 35°C? Reasons for reductions in limits of human thermal tolerance and their implications
Vecellio, D. J., Huber, M. & Kenney, W. L., 2024, In: Temperature. 11, 4, p. 302-304 3 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review
Platelet aggregation response to cyclooxygenase inhibition and thromboxane receptor antagonism using impedance aggregometry: A pilot study
Williams, A. C., Fisher, K. G., Alexander, L. M. & Kenney, W. L., Aug 2024, In: Physiological reports. 12, 16, e70002.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Comment on “Impact of Ultraviolet Radiation on Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders: The Role of Nitric Oxide and Vitamin D”
Wolf, S. ., Kenney, W. . & Jablonski, N., Sep 2024, In: Photodermatology Photoimmunology and Photomedicine. 40, 5, e13000.Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter › peer-review
Quantification and interpretation of nitric oxide-dependent cutaneous vasodilation during local heating
Wolf, S. T., Dillon, G. A., Alexander, L. M., Kenney, W. L. & Stanhewicz, A. E., Nov 2024, In: Journal of applied physiology. 137, 5, p. 1418-1424 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Core temperature and heart rate at the upper limit of the prescriptive zone
Bernard, T. E., Ashley, C. D., Wolf, S. T. & Kenney, W. L., Sep 2023, In: Physiological reports. 11, 17, e15812.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Distribution of upper limit of the prescriptive zone values for acclimatized and unacclimatized individuals
Bernard, T. E., Ashley, C. D., Tony Wolf, S., Odera, A. M., Lopez, R. M. & Larry Kenney, W., 2023, In: Journal of applied physiology. 135, 3, p. 601-608 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review