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Publication AbstractsThe Influence of Ethnicity on Thermosensitivity during Cold Water ImmersionEllen L. Glickman, Ph.D., Christopher C. Cheatham, Ph.D., Natalie Caine, M.A., and Mark Blegen, Ph.D.Aviat Space Environ Med 2001; 72:632-7 AbstractPurpose: This investigation evaluated the influence of ethnicity, Caucasian (CAU) vs. African American (AA), on thermosensitivity and metabolic heat production (HP) during cold water immersion (20°C) in 15 CAU (22.7 ± 2.7 yr) vs. 7 AA (21.7 ± 2.7 yr) males. Methods: Following a 20-min baseline period (BASE), subjects were immersed in 20°C water until esophageal temperature (Tes) reached 36.5°C or for a maximum pre-occlusion (Pre-OCC) time of 40 min. Arm and thigh cuffs were then inflated to 180 and 220 mm Hg, respectively, for 10 min (OCC). Following release of the inflated cuffs (Post-OCC), the slope of the relationship between the decrease in Tes and the increase in HP was used to define thermosensitivity (beta). Results: ANOVA revealed no significant difference in thermosensitivity between CAU and AA (CAU = 3.56 ± 1.54 vs. AA = 2.43 ± 1.58 W · kg-1 · °C-1). No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found for Tsk (CAU = 24.2 ± 1.1 vs. AA = 25.1 ± 1.1°C) or HP (p > 0.05; CAU = 2.5 ± 0.8 vs. AA = 36.5 ± 1.8 W · kg-1). However, a significant (p < 0.05) main effect for ethnicity for Tes was observed (CAU = 36.7 ± 1.8 vs. AA = 36.5 ± 1.8°C). Conclusion: These data suggest, despite a differential response in Tes between AA and CAU groups, the beta of HP during cold water immersion is similar between CAU and AA. Therefore, these data demonstrate that when faced with a cold challenge, there is a similar response in HP between CAU and AA that is accompanied by a differential response in Tes.Keywords: Cold exposure, ethnicity, core temperature, thermoregulation. Information on subscribing, and on obtaining copies of an article or of an entire issue. Table of Contents for Volume 72, Number 7 of the ASME journal.
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