Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 63, Issue 3 1218-1223, Copyright © 1987 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Cooling different body surfaces during upper and lower body exercise

A. J. Young, M. N. Sawka, Y. Epstein, B. Decristofano and K. B. Pandolf
US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts 01760-5007.

The effect of varying the body surface area being cooled by a liquid microclimate system was evaluated during exercise heat-stress conditions. Six male subjects performed a total of six exercise (O2 uptake = 1.2 l/min) tests in a hot environment (ambient temperature = 38 degrees C, relative humidity = 30%) while dressed in clothing having low moisture permeability and high insulation. Each subject completed two upper body exercise (U; arm crank) tests: 1) with only the torso surface (T) cooled; and 2) with the surfaces of both the torso and upper arms (TA) cooled [coolant temperature at the inlet (Ti) was 20 degrees C for all upper body tests]. Each subject also completed four lower body exercise (L; walking) tests: 1) with only the T cooled (Ti = 20 degrees C); 2) with only the T cooled (Ti = 26 degrees C); 3) with torso, upper arm, and thigh surface (TAT) cooled (Ti = 20 degrees C); and 4) with TAT cooled (Ti = 26 degrees C). During U exercise, TA cooling had no effects compared with cooling only T. During L exercise, sweat rates, heart rates, and rectal temperature (Tre) changes were less with TAT cooling compared with cooling only the T. Altering Ti had no effect on Tre changes, but higher heart rates were observed with 26 than with 20 degrees C. These data indicate that cooling arms during upper body exercise provides no thermoregulatory advantage, although cooling the thigh surfaces during lower body exercise does provide an advantage.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C Sunderland, J G Morris, and M E Nevill A heat acclimation protocol for team sports Br. J. Sports Med., May 1, 2008; 42(5): 327 - 333. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. R. Abbiss, J. J. Peiffer, J. M. Peake, K. Nosaka, K. Suzuki, D. T. Martin, and P. B. Laursen Effect of carbohydrate ingestion and ambient temperature on muscle fatigue development in endurance-trained male cyclists J Appl Physiol, April 1, 2008; 104(4): 1021 - 1028. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. W. DeGroot and W. L. Kenney Impaired defense of core temperature in aged humans during mild cold stress Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, January 1, 2007; 292(1): R103 - R108. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Cao, D. H. Branson, S. Peksoz, J. Nam, and C. A. Farr Fabric Selection for a Liquid Cooling Garment Textile Research Journal, July 1, 2006; 76(7): 587 - 595. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. C. Castle, A. L. Macdonald, A. Philp, A. Webborn, P. W. Watt, and N. S. Maxwell Precooling leg muscle improves intermittent sprint exercise performance in hot, humid conditions J Appl Physiol, April 1, 2006; 100(4): 1377 - 1384. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Webborn, M. J. Price, P. C. Castle, and V. L. Goosey-Tolfrey Effects of two cooling strategies on thermoregulatory responses of tetraplegic athletes during repeated intermittent exercise in the heat J Appl Physiol, June 1, 2005; 98(6): 2101 - 2107. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. G. Armstrong, M. B. Sangalang, D. Jolley, F. Maben, H. R. Kimbriel, B. P. Nixon, and I. K. Cohen Cooling the Foot to Prevent Diabetic Foot Wounds: A Proof-of-Concept Trial J Am Podiatr Med Assoc, March 1, 2005; 95(2): 103 - 107. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. N. Cheuvront, M. A. Kolka, B. S. Cadarette, S. J. Montain, and M. N. Sawka Efficacy of intermittent, regional microclimate cooling J Appl Physiol, May 1, 2003; 94(5): 1841 - 1848. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. S. Moran, W. L. Kenney, J. M. Pierzga, and K. B. Pandolf Aging and assessment of physiological strain during exercise-heat stress Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, April 1, 2002; 282(4): R1063 - R1069. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. W. Castellani, A. J. Young, C. O'Brien, D. A. Stulz, M. N. Sawka, and K. B. Pandolf Cold strain index applied to exercising men in cold-wet conditions Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, December 1, 2001; 281(6): R1764 - R1768. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. S. Moran, J. W. Castellani, C. O'Brien, A. J. Young, and K. B. Pandolf Evaluating physiological strain during cold exposure using a new cold strain index Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, August 1, 1999; 277(2): R556 - R564. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. J. Young, J. W. Castellani, C. O'Brien, R. L. Shippee, P. Tikuisis, L. G. Meyer, L. A. Blanchard, J. E. Kain, B. S. Cadarette, and M. N. Sawka Exertional fatigue, sleep loss, and negative energy balance increase susceptibility to hypothermia J Appl Physiol, October 1, 1998; 85(4): 1210 - 1217. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. W. Castellani, A. J. Young, M. N. Sawka, and K. B. Pandolf Human thermoregulatory responses during serial cold-water immersions J Appl Physiol, July 1, 1998; 85(1): 204 - 209. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]