W. Larry Kenney

Affiliate Researcher
Titles and Affiliations
Professor and Marie Underhill Noll Chair in Human Performance, Kinesiology

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

Research Keywords

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 journalArticlepeer-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 journalEditorialpeer-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 journalEditorialpeer-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 journalArticlepeer-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 journalArticlepeer-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 journalArticlepeer-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 journalArticlepeer-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 journalArticlepeer-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-R327

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-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 journalComment/debatepeer-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 journalArticlepeer-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 journalLetterpeer-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 journalArticlepeer-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 journalArticlepeer-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 journalArticlepeer-review