Dynamic work in cold.

Abstract

The capability of the human organism to work or exercise comprises of several components of physical performance capacity: endurance, power, force production, velocity, flexibility and co-ordination. Working in cold environments where it is possible that the temperature of the body, either superficial or core, decrease, the above mentioned components may be altered. In general, cooling decreases the ability of these components to function. The amount of decrease is dependent for example on: exercise type, exercise duration and degree of cooling. The exercises that seem to be most susceptible to cooling are those which are very short lasting and dynamic, utilising fast movement velocities and/or elastic properties of the working muscles. The decrease in core temperature, however is not a prerequisite for the decrease in performance. Already a very superficial cooling is sufficient to substantially decrease performance. Several mechanisms may be responsible for the decreased capacity of performance and they can severely suffocate the capacity to work in cold environments. Due to this an increase in individual strain and also the risk to have an accident are increased. Therefore, while working in cold environments cooling, especially of the working muscles, has to be avoided as efficiently as possible.