Interactive modeling as a forcing function for research in the physiology of human performance

Physiological models are frequently designed to study a single-organ system or to investigate the differ ences in response of alternative representations of the same system. In this study, an interactive model portrays the human circulatory, thermoregulatory, and energy-exchange systems as an intercoupled set and serves as a means of communication between mem bers of an interdisciplinary research team. The assumptions necessary to couple these systems are described, as are the research team's techniques for using the model. The goal is to develop the model to the point of accurately simulating the real-world behavior of the coupled systems in normal human beings and in those with certain diseases. The model serves to focus the team's attention on areas requiring additional experimentation, which in turn leads to modifications to improve the model.