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Biomedical subjects

S D Livingstone

Publications and source records attributed to S D Livingstone.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Effects on handgrip strength due to arm immersion in a 10 degree C water bath.

Thirteen male and female human subjects participated in an experiment to determine if cold water immersion of the arm increases post-immersion handgrip strength. The test involved immersion of a subject's fore-arm into a 10 degrees C water bath for 30 min once a week in a 3-week series, involving a control test and two immersion experiments. Handgrip strength was measured 20 min before and then once every 20 minutes after the cold bath immersion for 4 h, for a total of 18 readings. Grip strength significantly decreased as a consequence of immersion of the forearm. However, strength recovery to approximately normal values took place within 40 min. No increases in post-immersion strength were observed.

Adult↗

Effect of alterations in ambient temperature on blood flow in the skin.

The effect of changing ambient temperature on skin temperature was recorded in human subjects; also, its effect on blood flow was measured using venous occlusion and optical plethysmography. When cold stimulus was removed in stages using a heating cabinet, it was found that a biphasic flow response occurred in the fingers with each step change in temperature. There was a rapid transient rise followed by a decline to an equilibrium flow level. The transient rise occurred even when the temperature rose from 37 to 40 degrees C, although at this level the equilibrium remained unchanged. It is suggested that the transient rise was due to stimulation of Hensel's dynamic warmth receptors, whereas the rise in equilibrium temperature was due to removal of cold stimulus, which at low ambient temperatures maintains reflex vasoconstriction through activation of static cold receptors. Upper arm skin responded to removal of cold stimulus by a fall in temperature. Immersion of a different limb in cold water produced vasoconstriction in fingers but vasodilatation in the upper arm skin. It is suggested that this may be due to neurogenic vasodilatation, though the present work gives no indication as to pathways.

Adult↗

Changes in cold-induced vasodilation during Arctic exercises.

The effect of exposure to cold on cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD) was examined in military personnel who had experienced a 2-wk stay in the Artic. During this time, the daily regimen consisted of long marches over difficult terrain and sleep in unheated tents with diurnal temperatures ranging from -10 to -40 degrees C. In tests conducted before and after the 2-wk period, CIVD was measured in the left middle finger of each subject by its immersion in ice water. After the 2-wk period, the value of mean finger temperature during the test had decreased relative to that observed before the test, the time required before the first vasodilative temperature increase occurred had become greater, and the finger temperature value at which the vasodilative increase was initiated has been lowered. These changes manifest a deleterious effect of cold exposure on the CIVD, contrary to expectations, and suggest that the effect of short-term cold exposure is to produce a general rather than peripheral acclimation in these subjects.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Cold-induced shivering in men with thermoneutral skin temperatures.

Twenty-two male Caucasians, aged 20-47 yr, were exposed in a cold room to air temperatures of -33 degrees C while lying in sleeping bags for 2 h. Skin and rectal temperatures as well as electromyographic activity of the chin, forearm, and thigh, were recorded. Shivering occurred in all the subjects, even though skin temperatures were maintained between 31 and 33 degrees C. It is suggested that a counter-current heat exchange occurs whereby the warm blood of the common carotid artery is cooled by cool venous blood in the jugular veins. This cooled arterial blood, in irrigating the hypothalamus, causes shivering.

Adult↗