Biomedical subjects

S R Muza

Publications and source records attributed to S R Muza.

50 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1988

Portable, ambient air microclimate cooling in simulated desert and tropic conditions.

We examined the feasibility of providing ambient air during exercise and conditioned (cooled) air during rest on reducing physiological strain and optimizing tolerance time. Six male soldiers attempted 250-min exposures in hot/dry and hot/wet environments. Subjects wore chemical protective clothing over the combat vehicle crewman uniform and an air-cooled vest. They alternated between 50 min of treadmill walking (420 W) and 50 min of rest (105 W). During the walks, a backpack mounted blower provided a total of 10 or 18 cfm of air to the vest and face; while subjects received 18 cfm of conditioned air from an umbilical during rest. A control test with conditioned air during rest, but only a ventilated facepiece during work was also conducted in the hot/dry environment. In the hot/dry environment the ambient air backpack extended (p less than 0.05) tolerance time and significantly reduced rectal temperatures, heart rates and sweating rates compared to control; no differences were found between 10 and 18 cfm. In the hot/wet environment, tolerance time was extended compared to a predicted tolerance time assuming no microclimate cooling. We conclude that the ambient air backpack reduced physiological strain and improved tolerance time of combat vehicle crewmen during exercise in the heat.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Erythrocyte reinfusion and maximal aerobic power. An examination of modifying factors.

Induced erythrocythemia is associated with a variable increase in maximal oxygen uptake. To examine the roles of the magnitude of change in hemoglobin concentration and the individual's initial aerobic fitness in this effect, we combined individual data from our own research and three other studies. In each study freeze-preserved erythrocytes from the product of 2 units of blood were reinfused, and maximal oxygen uptake was measured within 24 to 72 hours after reinfusion. The 30 subjects had an initial aerobic power of 36 to 88 mL of oxygen per kilogram per minute. The combined results from these studies indicate that after erythrocyte reinfusion the increase in hemoglobin concentration is fairly homogeneous (mean +/- SD, 1.36 +/- 0.6 g/dL [13.6 +/- 6 g/L]), nearly all individuals demonstrate an increase in maximal oxygen uptake (0.357 +/- 0.216 L/min), the magnitude of increase in hemoglobin concentration is not related to the magnitude of increase in maximal oxygen uptake, and the magnitude of increase in maximal oxygen uptake is related to the individual's initial aerobic fitness. Individuals with an initial aerobic fitness between 50 and 65 mL X kg-1 X min-1 experience approximately twice the increase in maximal oxygen uptake after erythrocyte reinfusion of individuals with greater fitness and also of lesser fitness.

Aerobiosis↗

PubMed1987

Influence of polycythemia on blood volume and thermoregulation during exercise-heat stress.

We studied the effects of autologous erythrocyte infusion on blood volume and thermoregulation during exercise in the heat. By use of a double-blind design, nine unacclimated male subjects were infused with either 600 ml of a NaCl-glucose-phosphate solution containing a approximately 50% hematocrit (n = 6, reinfusion) or 600 ml of this solution only (n = 3, saline). A heat stress test (HST) was attempted approximately 2-wk pre- and 48-h postinfusion during the late spring months. After 30 min of rest in a 20 degrees C antechamber, the HST consisted of a 120-min exposure (2 repeats of 15 min rest and 45 min treadmill walking) in a hot (35 degrees C, 45% rh) environment while euhydrated. Erythrocyte volume (RCV, 51Cr) and plasma volume (PV, 125I) were measured 24 h before each HST, and maximal O2 uptake (VO2max) was measured 24 h after each HST. Generally, no significant effects were found for the saline group. For the reinfusion group, RCV (11%, P less than 0.01) and VO2max (11%, P less than 0.05) increased after infusion, and the following observations were made: 1) the increased RCV was associated with a reduction in PV to maintain the same blood volume as during the preinfusion measurements; 2) polycythemia reduced total circulating protein but did not alter F-cell ratio, plasma osmolality, plasma protein content, or plasma lactate at rest or during exercise-heat stress; 3) polycythemia did not change the volume of fluid entering the intravascular space from rest to exercise-heat stress; and 4) polycythemia tended to reduce the rate of heat storage during exercise-heat stress.

Blood Proteins↗

PubMed1987

Human vascular fluid responses to cold stress are not altered by cold acclimation.

Repeated cold water immersion can induce the development of an insulative type of cold acclimation in man. This investigation determined if repeated cold water immersion produced changes in vascular fluid responses to cold stress in addition to the previously reported changes in thermoregulation. Seven male subjects performed a standardized cold air and cold water exposure before and again after a cold acclimation program. The cold acclimation program consisted of daily immersion (90 min) in cold water (18 degrees C, stirred) repeated 5 times/wk for 5 consecutive wk. Cold acclimation did not alter the responses of plasma volume or electrolyte concentrations, nor urinary flow or electrolyte excretion during either cold air or cold water exposure. The percent reduction in plasma volume was larger (P less than 0.01) in cold water (-17%) than in cold air (-12%). Cold water immersion resulted in greater (P less than 0.01) diuresis than cold air exposure. Plasma K+ concentration increased (P less than 0.01) during cold (both air and water) exposure, whereas plasma Na+ concentration was unchanged. Calculated renal clearance and urinary excretion rate of both Na+ and K+ increased during cold (both air and water) exposure. The magnitude of plasma volume reduction during cold exposure was not correlated with either the degree of body cooling or diuresis. It is concluded that a) insulative cold acclimation does not influence vascular fluid responses to cold stress, and b) although vascular fluid shifts, body cooling and diuresis are all greater in cold water than in air, a consistent relationship among these parameters could not be established for an individual's response.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed1987

Elite special forces: physiological description and ergogenic influence of blood reinfusion.

We measured the physical exercise capabilities of U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers (male) and determined the subsequent ergogenic influence of autologous blood reinfusion. Twelve subjects (Ss) completed maximal exercise treadmill testing in a comfortable (Ta = 20 degrees C, Tdp = 9 degrees C) environment. Six Ss were later transfused with a 600 ml autologous red blood cell (50% Hct) NaCl glucose-phosphate solution and completed identical maximal exercise tests 3 and 10 d posttransfusion. Pretransfusion, the 12 Ss had a maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) of 4.36 +/- 0.56 L . min-1 and 55 +/- 4 ml . kg-1 . min-1 with a heart rate of 188 +/- 10 b . min-1 and ventilatory equivalent for oxygen of 37 +/- 3. For the 6 reinfused Ss, hemoglobin and red cell volume (RCV) increased by 10% (p less than 0.05) and 11% (p less than 0.05), respectively, posttransfusion. Reinfusion increased (p less than 0.05) VO2max from 4.28 +/- 0.22 L . min-1 (54 +/- 5 ml . kg-1 . min-1) to 4.75 +/- 0.42 L . min-1 (60 +/- 6 ml . kg-1 . min-1) and 4.63 +/- 0.21 L . min-1 (59 +/- 6 ml . kg-1 . min-1) at 3 and 10 d posttransfusion, respectively. No significant relationship was found between the individual change in RCV and VO2max values pre- to posttransfusion. We conclude that Special Forces soldiers have high levels of aerobic fitness that can be further increased by blood reinfusion for at least 10 d.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Human thermoregulatory responses to cold air are altered by repeated cold water immersion.

The effects of repeated cold water immersion on thermoregulatory responses to cold air were studied in seven males. A cold air stress test (CAST) was performed before and after completion of an acclimation program consisting of daily 90-min cold (18 degrees C) water immersion, repeated 5 times/wk for 5 consecutive wk. The CAST consisted of resting 30 min in a comfortable [24 degrees C, 30% relative humidity (rh)] environment followed by 90 min in cold (5 degrees C, 30% rh) air. Pre- and postacclimation, metabolism (M) increased (P less than 0.01) by 85% during the first 10 min of CAST and thereafter rose slowly. After acclimation, M was lower (P less than 0.02) at 10 min of CAST compared with before, but by 30 min M was the same. Therefore, shivering onset may have been delayed following acclimation. After acclimation, rectal temperature (Tre) was lower (P less than 0.01) before and during CAST, and the drop in Tre during CAST was greater (P less than 0.01) than before. Mean weighted skin temperature (Tsk) was lower (P less than 0.01) following acclimation than before, and acclimation resulted in a larger (P less than 0.02) Tre-to-Tsk gradient. Plasma norepinephrine increased during both CAST (P less than 0.002), but the increase was larger (P less than 0.004) following acclimation. These findings suggest that repeated cold water immersion stimulates development of true cold acclimation in humans as opposed to habituation. The cold acclimation produced appears to be of the insulative type.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed1986

Power spectral analysis of the surface electromyogram during shivering.

The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency content of the electromyogram (EMG) recorded during shivering and determine if the EMG power spectrum changed as a function of the shivering duration. Six semi-nude males were exposed to cold air (5 degrees C, 20% rh) for 80 min while quietly sitting. Rectal (Tre) and mean skin (Tsk) temperatures were recorded. Shivering of the masseter muscle was determined using bipolar surface electrodes. The EMG was amplified, recorded, and subsequently digitized at 2048 Hz. The power spectrum was calculated from eight serial 0.25s EMG samples by Fourier analysis from a frequency of 4 through 480 Hz. The eight power spectra were averaged and centroid frequency (fc) calculated. During the first 10 min of exposure, Tsk rapidly dropped from 32.6 +/- 1.6 to 26.2 +/- 1.3 degrees C, then slowly declined reaching 22.5 +/- 0.7 degrees C after 80 min. Tre rose from 37.1 +/- 0.1 to 37.4 +/- 0.1 degrees C, declining after 40 min to 37.2 +/- 0.1 degrees C. Shivering was observed within 5 min after entering the cold chamber. EMG activity after 10 min exhibited an fc of 177.2 +/- 6.2 Hz. When power was integrated over 60 Hz bandwidths, the predominant frequency band of the EMG power spectrum was 60-120 Hz. Although shivering intensity increased with time, the EMG power spectrum exhibited no significant changes. These results suggest that the EMG power spectrum during shivering did not exhibit changes characteristic of muscle fatigue or muscle cooling during the 80-min cold air exposure.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Relationship of transdiaphragmatic pressure and latencies for detecting added inspiratory loads.

The purpose of this investigation was to measure changes in transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) developed during graded elastic (E) and resistive (R) loaded breaths and to correlate the emergence of such changes with the load-dependent alterations in latency for detection (Tdet). Five healthy adults were studied using three protocols, i.e., graded E, graded R, and graded R in the presence of elevated background R. In each protocol, loads were added for single inspirations, 10 times in random order and separated by three to five unloaded breaths. Subjects pressed a signal marker as soon as loads were detected. Inspiratory flow (VI), inspired volume (VI), mouth pressure, and Pdi of loaded breaths and the preceding unloaded breaths were recorded and computer averaged. Patterns of VI and VI were not altered prior to detection of the smallest added E and R loads but decreased with the higher loads. Group mean patterns of Pdi showed graded increases during loaded breaths. Augmentation of Pdi preceded Tdet and occurred earlier as Tdet decreased with graded E and R loads. Elevating the background R delayed both Tdet of added R and the augmentation of Pdi. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that load-induced changes in diaphragmatic tension may play a sensory role in detection of inspiratory loads.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Thermoregulatory and blood responses during exercise at graded hypohydration levels.

We studied the effects of graded hypohydration levels on thermoregulatory and blood responses during exercise in the heat. Eight heat-acclimated male subjects attempted four heat-stress tests (HSTs). One HST was attempted during euhydration, and three HSTs were attempted while the subjects were hypohydrated by 3, 5, and 7% of their body weight. Hypohydration was achieved by an exercise-heat regimen on the day prior to each HST. After 30 min of rest in a 20 degrees C antechamber the HST consisted of a 140-min exposure (4 repeats of 10 min rest and 25 min treadmill walking) in a hot-dry (49 degrees C, 20% relative humidity) environment. The following observations were made: 1) a low-to-moderate hypohydration level primarily reduced plasma volume with little effect on plasma osmolality, whereas a more severe hypohydration level resulted in no further plasma volume reduction but a large increment in plasma osmolality; 2) core temperature and heart rate responses increased with severity of hypohydration; 3) sweating rate responses for a given rectal temperature were systematically decreased with severity of hypohydration; and 4) the reduction in sweating rate was more strongly associated with plasma hyperosmolality than hypovolemia. In conclusion, an individual's thermal strain increases linearly with the severity of hypohydration during exercise in the heat, and plasma hyperosmolality influences the reduction in sweating more profoundly than hypovolemia.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

Respiratory volume-timing relationship during sustained elevation of functional residual capacity.

In 7 spontaneously breathing dial-urethane anesthetized cats a negative pressure was produced around the thorax and abdomen to increase the functional residual capacity (FRC) by about 1 tidal volume for up to 60 min. A tracheal cannula was connected to a resistive manifold for selective loading of inspiration or expiration. Two resistive loads and tracheal occlusion were presented six times each at control FRC (FRCc), after 60 min at elevated FRC (FRCe) and 30 min after return to FRCc. Inspiratory and expiratory durations (TI and TE) were measured from diaphragmatic EMG. We observed that TI at FRCe (0.88 +/- 0.11 sec) was not significantly shorter than TI at FRCc (1.06 +/- 0.14 sec). Tracheal occlusion at FRCe caused a shorter TI (1.37 +/- 0.15 sec) than at FRCc (1.79 +/- 0.21 sec) (P less than 0.05). The slope (m) of the VI-TI relationship generated by the resistive loads at FRCe was steeper (m = -65 +/- 7 ml X sec-1) and shifted upward from the VI-TI curve at FRCc (-50 +/- 6 ml X sec-1) (P less than 0.05). The VE-TE relationship at FRCe was not significantly changed from control. Thirty minutes following return to FRCc, TI was still slightly shorter (0.96 +/- 0.11 sec) than the initial TI at FRCc. We conclude: (1) The slope of the VI-TI relationship is determined to a great extent by the total lung volume. However, under the conditions of sustained elevation of FRC, this relationship is influenced by the partial adaptation of slowly adapting pulmonary receptors SARs. (2) The increased SAR activity at end expiration during FRCe may not influence the control of TE.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Comparison of subjects' perception of inspiratory and expiratory resistance.

Six healthy male adults were studied at five levels of suprathreshold added resistance (delta R) applied thrice to either inspiration (I) or expiration (E) in a random sequence. Subjects squeezed on isometric handgrip dynamometer to express the perceived magnitude of the load. Peak mouth pressure (Pm), flow, grip (G), and delta R were analyzed to derive the exponent for Steven's power law. We observed that the slope for log G vs. log delta R was significantly greater for I loads than for E loads (P less than 0.05), but the intercepts for E loads were significantly elevated. However, the slopes and intercepts for log G vs. log Pm during the same I and E loads were not significantly different. When subjects were instructed to target I or E flow to a preset level, we observed no difference between the slopes and intercepts for log G vs. log delta R during I and E loading. These results suggest that 1) the sensory information utilized in judging the magnitude of added resistance is more likely related to the force generated by the respiratory muscles (Pm) rather than delta R per se; and 2) similar muscle receptors and neural processing systems are utilized in the estimation of added loads involving either inspiratory or expiratory muscle groups.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

Scaling of added loads to breathing: magnitude estimation vs. handgrip matching.

Six healthy male adults were studied at five levels of suprathreshold added resistance (delta R) applied three times to inspiration in a random sequence. Subjects squeezed an isometric handgrip dynamometer coincident with the breath to express the perceived magnitude of the load and also gave a numerical estimate after completing the loaded inspiration. Peak mouth pressure, grip deflection, and numerical estimate were analyzed to derive the exponents for Stevens' power law. The mean exponent and correlation coefficient obtained from numerical estimates were 1.11 +/- 0.16 and 0.94 +/- 0.04, respectively, while the exponent and correlation coefficient simultaneously obtained from handgrip matching was 0.73 +/- 0.10 and 0.91 +/- 0.05, respectively. Multiplying each subject's exponent obtained from handgrip matching by 1.7 yields a mean equated exponent of 1.23 +/- 0.17. The equated exponents were not statistically different (P greater than 0.05) from the exponents derived from numerical estimates. These results suggest that the use of cross-modality (handgrip) matching provides a reliable method for obtaining psychophysical magnitude functions of respiratory sensations and that exponents obtained using either technique can be equated for comparison.

Adult↗

PubMed1983

Response of pulmonary stretch receptors to shifts of functional residual capacity.

The response of slowly adapting pulmonary stretch receptors (PSRs) to sustained elevations of functional residual capacity (FRC) was investigated in spontaneous breathing anesthetized cats. A subatmospheric pressure was produced around the thorax and abdomen to increase FRC by approximately one tidal volume (VT) for up to 60 min. During eupneic breathing the PSR frequency (fPSR) was closely related to changes in transpulmonary pressure (PTP), but occasionally hysteresis was observed in the FPSR - PTP relationship. Elevation of FRC caused most phasic PSRs to discharge continuously for a few breaths before returning to a phasic discharge pattern. During the shift in FRC there were increases in mean fPSR, peak fPSR firing threshold which were sustained throughout the period of elevated FRC. PSRs that normally showed discharges at FRC similarly increased their mean and peak firing rates. For all PSRs the y-intercept (fPSR at PTP = 0) of the fPSR - PTP relationship was decreased but the sensitivity of the PSR as defined by delta fPSR/delta PTP was not changed until the period of elevated FRC exceeded 30 min. Thereafter, PSR sensitivity tended to decline. These results suggest that PSRs undergo some modification of their discharge parameters during prolonged elevation of FRC.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1983

Ventilatory responses to static handgrip exercise.

Previous research indicates that fatiguing static exercise causes hyperventilation and a decrease of end-tidal CO2 partial pressure PETCO2. The objectives of this study were 1) to examine the changes in pattern of breathing during static exercise, and 2) to define the isocapnic ventilatory response. Six healthy males were studied once a week at one of three levels of static handgrip exercise: 15, 25, or 30% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) was sustained for 5 min while holding PETCO2 constant or allowing it to run free. During 25 and 30% MVC, we observed 1) progressive increases in mean tidal volume (VT), inspiratory ventilation (VI), VT/TI, heart rate (HR), and arterial BP, 2) increased breath-to-breath variability of VT, 3) no significant changes in respiratory frequency (f), and 4) progressive decreases in PETCO2. Keeping PETCO2 constant at preexercise levels did not change the pattern or magnitude of the ventilatory response to exercise. The time course and magnitude of the subjects' perceived effort resembled the time course and magnitude of the ventilatory response. The variability of VT during the response to static exercise suggests an element of control instability. The identical ventilatory responses during hypocapnic and isocapnic conditions may result from the slow response of the central chemoreceptors; an overriding influence of muscle afferents; and/or increased central command arising with fatigue.

Adult↗