Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 62, Issue 4 1627-1634, Copyright © 1987 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Heat debt as an index for cold adaptation in men

J. H. Bittel

Several types of cold adaptation in men have been described in the literature (metabolic, insulative, hypothermic). The aim of this study is to show that the decrease of heat debt can be considered as a new index for cold adaptation. Ten male subjects were acclimated by water immersions (temperature 10-15 degrees C, 4 immersions/wk over 2 mo). Thermoregulatory responses before and after acclimation were tested by a standard cold test in a climatic chamber for 2 h at rest [dry bulb temperature (Tdb): 10 degrees C; relative humidity (rh): 25%]. After adaptation, four thermoregulatory modifications were observed: an increase in the delay for the onset of shivering (32.7 +/- 7.99 instead of 14.1 +/- 5.25 min); a decrease of body temperature levels for the onset of shivering [rectal temperature (Tre): 37.06 +/- 0.08 instead of 37.31 +/- 0.06 degrees C; mean skin temperature (Tsk): 24.83 +/- 0.56 instead of 26.86 +/- 0.46 degrees C; mean body temperature (Tb): 33.03 +/- 0.20 instead of 34.16 +/- 0.37 degrees C); a lower level of body temperatures in thermoneutrality (Tre = 37.16 +/- 0.08 instead of 37.39 +/- 0.06 degrees C; Tsk = 31.29 +/- 0.21 instead of 32.01 +/- 0.22 degrees C; Tb = 35.92 +/- 0.08 instead of 36.22 +/- 0.05 degrees C); a decrease of heat debt calculated from the difference between heat gains and heat losses (5.66 +/- 0.08 instead of 8.33 +/- 0.38 kJ/kg). The different types of cold adaptation observed are related to the physical characteristics of the subjects (percent body fat content) and the level of physical fitness (VO2max).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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