The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

Thermal responses to whole-body cooling in air with special reference to arteriovenous anastomoses in fingers

På svenska

Author

  • Leif Vanggaard
  • Kalev Kuklane
  • Ingvar Holmér
  • Juhani Smolander

Summary, in English

The arteriovenous anastomoses (AVAs) in the distal parts of the extremities play a significant role in the heat exchange with the environment. The aim of the study was to examine the thermal responses to whole-body cooling in air, and especially the behaviour of finger skin temperature (Tf, rich in AVAs). Eight young men sat in minimal clothing at 32°C air temperature (Ta), which was then lowered gradually to 13°C in 100 min. In the beginning of cooling, Tf was high and fluctuating, and then suddenly exhibited a rapid fall, while temperatures in other skin sites fell fairly linearly along decreasing Ta to the end of cooling. During the period from start to the rapid fall in Tf, rectal temperature decreased from 37.4°C (SD 0.2) to 37.2°C (0.2), mean skin temperature (Tsk) from 34.6°C (05) to 31.2°C (2.0) and whole-body thermal sensation from ‘slightly warm/warm’ to ‘slightly cool/cold’. The start of the steep fall in Tf varied considerably between individuals in terms of time (2–75 min), Ta (16.7–32.0°C) and Tsk (28.8–34.7°C). On the other hand, the range of Tf at that point was narrower (32.1–35.8°C). The findings stress the importance of taking into account the distal skin temperatures in thermoregulatory studies in addition to the ordinarily used more proximal and central skin sites. Also, it might be advisable to start such experiments with relatively high and fluctuating Tf to guarantee that the thermal state of the subject is well defined.

Publishing year

2012

Language

English

Pages

463-469

Publication/Series

Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging

Volume

32

Issue

6

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Topic

  • Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics

Keywords

  • arteriovenous anastomoses
  • cold
  • gradual cooling
  • skin temperature
  • thermoregulation
  • thermal sensation

Status

Published

Research group

  • Thermal Environment Laboratory

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1475-0961