Hyperthermia, but not dehydration, alters the electrical activity of the brain.

PURPOSE: Whole-body thermal and hydration clamps were used to evaluate their independent and combined impact on the electrical activity of the brain. It was hypothesised that those stresses would independently modify the electroencephalographic (EEG) responses, with those changes being greater when both stresses were superimposed. METHODS: Alpha and beta spectral data (eyes closed) were collected from the frontal, central-parietal and occipital cortices of both hemispheres in resting, healthy and habitually active males (N = 8; mean age 25 years). Three dehydration states were investigated (euhydrated and 3% and 5% mass decrements) in each of two thermal states (normothermia [mean body temperature 36.3 °C] and moderate hyperthermia [38.4 °C]). The combination of those passively induced states yielded six levels of physiological strain, with the EEG data from each level separately examined using repeated-measures ANOVA with planned contrasts. RESULTS: When averaged across the frontal cortices, alpha power was elevated relative to the occipital cortices during moderate hyperthermia (P = 0.049). Conversely, beta power was generally reduced during hyperthermia (P = 0.013). Neither the alpha nor beta power spectra responded to dehydration, nor did dehydration elevate the heat-induced responses (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Moderate hyperthermia, but neither mild nor moderate dehydration, appeared to independently alter brain electrical activity. Moreover, the combination of moderate hyperthermia with 5% dehydration did not further increase those changes. That outcome was interpreted to mean that, when those states were superimposed, the resulting neurophysiological changes could almost exclusively be attributed to the thermal impact per se, rather than to their combined influences.

Hyperthermia and dehydration: their independent and combined influences on physiological function during rest and exercise.

PURPOSE: This experiment was designed to quantify the independent and combined influences of hyperthermia and dehydration on effector control during rest and exercise. METHODS: To achieve that, whole-body hydration of healthy adults (N = 8) was manipulated into each of three states (euhydrated, 3% and 5% dehydrated), and then clamped within each of two thermal states (normothermia [mean body temperature: 36.1 °C] and moderate hyperthermia [mean body temperature: 38.2 °C]). Those treatment combinations provided six levels of physiological strain, with resting physiological data collected at each level. The effects of isothermal, thermally unclamped and incremental exercise were then investigated in normothermic individuals during each level of hydration. RESULTS: At rest, dehydration alone reduced urine flows by 83% (3% dehydrated) and 93% (5% dehydrated), while the reduction accompanying euhydrated hyperthermia was 86%. The sensitivities of renal water conservation to 3% dehydration (-21% mOsm-1 kg H2O-1) and moderate hyperthermia (-40% °C-1) were independent and powerful. Evidence was found for different renal mechanisms governing water conservation between those treatments. Cutaneous vasomotor and central cardiac responses were unresponsive to dehydration, but highly sensitive to passive thermal stress. Dehydration did not impair either whole-body or regional sweating during rest or exercise, and not even during incremental cycling to volitional exhaustion. CONCLUSION: In all instances, the physiological impact of these thermal- and hydration-state stresses was independently expressed, with no evidence of interactive influences. Renal water-conservation was independently and powerfully modified, exposing possible between-treatment differences in sodium reabsorption.

A vascular mechanism to explain thermally mediated variations in deep-body cooling rates during the immersion of profoundly hyperthermic individuals.

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Does the cold-water immersion (14°C) of profoundly hyperthermic individuals induce reductions in cutaneous and limb blood flow of sufficient magnitude to impair heat loss relative to the size of the thermal gradient? What is the main finding and its importance? The temperate-water cooling (26°C) of profoundly hyperthermic individuals was found to be rapid and reproducible. A vascular mechanism accounted for that outcome, with temperature-dependent differences in cutaneous and limb blood flows observed during cooling. Decisions relating to cooling strategies must be based upon deep-body temperature measurements that have response dynamics consistent with the urgency for cooling. ABSTRACT: Physiologically trivial time differences for cooling the intrathoracic viscera of hyperthermic individuals have been reported between cold- and temperate-water immersion treatments. One explanation for that observation is reduced convective heat delivery to the skin during cold immersion, and this study was designed to test both the validity of that observation, and its underlying hypothesis. Eight healthy men participated in four head-out water immersions: two when normothermic, and two after exercise-induced, moderate-to-profound hyperthermia. Two water temperatures were used within each thermal state: temperate (26°C) and cold (14°C). Tissue temperatures were measured at three deep-body sites (oesophagus, auditory canal and rectum) and eight skin surfaces, with cutaneous vascular responses simultaneously evaluated from both forearms (laser-Doppler flowmetry and venous-occlusion plethysmography). During the cold immersion of normothermic individuals, oesophageal temperature decreased relative to baseline (-0.31°C over 20 min; P < 0.05), whilst rectal temperature increased (0.20°C; P < 0.05). When rendered hyperthermic, oesophageal (-0.75°C) and rectal temperatures decreased (-0.05°C) during the transition period (<8.5 min, mostly in air at 22°C), with the former dropping to 37.5°C only 54 s faster when immersed in cold rather than in temperate water (P < 0.05). Minimal cutaneous vasoconstriction occurred during either normothermic immersion, whereas pronounced constriction was evident during both immersions when subjects were hyperthermic, with the colder water eliciting a greater vascular response (P < 0.05). It was concluded that the rapid intrathoracic cooling of asymptomatic, hyperthermic individuals in temperate water was a reproducible phenomenon, with slower than expected cooling in cold water brought about by stronger cutaneous vasoconstriction that reduced convective heat delivery to the periphery.

The independent influences of heat strain and dehydration upon cognition.

PURPOSE: Many researchers have addressed the potential effects of hyperthermia and dehydration on cognition, often revealing contradictory outcomes. A possible reason for this inconsistency is that experiments may have been inadequately designed for such effects. In this study, the impact of hyperthermia, dehydration and their combination on cognition were evaluated in eight young males, after accounting for a range of experimental limitations. METHODS: Passive heating and thermal clamping at two mean body temperatures (36.5, 38.5 °C) were performed under three hydration states (euhydrated, 3 and 5% dehydrated) to assess their effects on difficulty-matched working memory and visual perception tasks, and on a difficulty manipulated perceptual task. Data were analysed according to signal detection theory to isolate changes in response sensitivity, bias and speed. RESULTS: Neither moderate hyperthermia (P = 0.141) nor dehydration (P > 0.604) modified response sensitivity, nor did they significantly interact (P > 0.698). Therefore, the ability to distinguish correct from incorrect responses was unaffected. Nevertheless, hyperthermia, but not dehydration (P = 0.301), reduced the response bias (-0.08 versus 2.2 [normothermia]; P = 0.010) and reaction time (mean reduction 49 ms; P < 0.001), eliciting more liberal and faster responses (P = 0.010). Response bias was reduced for the memory relative to the perceptual task (P = 0.037), and this effect was enhanced during hyperthermia (P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: These observations imply that, once potentially confounding influences were controlled, moderate hyperthermia, significant dehydration and their combined effects had insufficient impact to impair cognition within the memory and perceptual domains tested. Nonetheless, moderate hyperthermia elicited more liberal and rapid responses.

Hands and feet: physiological insulators, radiators and evaporators.

The purpose of this review is to describe the unique anatomical and physiological features of the hands and feet that support heat conservation and dissipation, and in so doing, highlight the importance of these appendages in human thermoregulation. For instance, the surface area to mass ratio of each hand is 4-5 times greater than that of the body, whilst for each foot, it is ~3 times larger. This characteristic is supported by vascular responses that permit a theoretical maximal mass flow of thermal energy of 6.0 W (136 W m(2)) to each hand for a 1 °C thermal gradient. For each foot, this is 8.5 W (119 W m(2)). In an air temperature of 27 °C, the hands and feet of resting individuals can each dissipate 150-220 W m(2) (male-female) of heat through radiation and convection. During hypothermia, the extremities are physiologically isolated, restricting heat flow to <0.1 W. When the core temperature increases ~0.5 °C above thermoneutral (rest), each hand and foot can sweat at 22-33 mL h(-1), with complete evaporation dissipating 15-22 W (respectively). During heated exercise, sweat flows increase (one hand: 99 mL h(-1); one foot: 68 mL h(-1)), with evaporative heat losses of 67-46 W (respectively). It is concluded that these attributes allow the hands and feet to behave as excellent radiators, insulators and evaporators.

Observations on saliva osmolality during progressive dehydration and partial rehydration.

A need exists to identify dehydrated individuals under stressful settings beyond the laboratory. A predictive index based on changes in saliva osmolality has been proposed, and its efficacy and sensitivity was appraised across mass (water) losses from 1 to 7%. Twelve euhydrated males [serum osmolality: 286.1 mOsm kg(-1) H(2)O (SD 4.3)] completed three exercise- and heat-induced dehydration trials (35.6°C, 56% relative humidity): 7% dehydration (6.15 h), 3% dehydration (with 60% fluid replacement: 2.37 h), repeat 7% dehydration (5.27 h). Expectorated saliva osmolality, measured at baseline and at each 1% mass change, was used to predict instantaneous hydration state relative to mass losses of 3 and 6%. Saliva osmolality increased linearly with dehydration, although its basal osmolality and its rate of change varied among and within subjects across trials. Receiver operating characteristic curves indicated a good predictive power for saliva osmolality when used with two, single-threshold cutoffs to differentiate between hydrated and dehydrated individuals (area under curve: 3% cutoff = 0.868, 6% cutoff = 0.831). However, when analysed using a double-threshold detection technique (3 and 6%), as might be used in a field-based monitor, <50% of the osmolality data could correctly identify individuals who exceeded 3% dehydration. Indeed, within the 3-6% dehydration range, its sensitivity was 64%, while beyond 6% dehydration, this fell to 42%. Therefore, while expectorated saliva osmolality tracked mass losses within individuals, its large intra- and inter-individual variability limited its predictive power and sensitivity, rendering its utility questionable within a universal dehydration monitor.

Torso undergarments: their merit for clothed and armored individuals in hot-dry conditions.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate how the textile composition of torso undergarment fabrics may impact upon thermal strain, moisture transfer, and the thermal and clothing comfort of fully clothed, armored individuals working in a hot-dry environment (41.2 degrees C and 29.8% relative humidity). METHODS: Five undergarment configurations were assessed using eight men who walked for 120 min (4 km x h(-1)), then alternated running (2 min at 10 km x h(-1)) and walking (2 min at 4 km x h(-1)) for 20 min. Trials differed only in the torso undergarments worn: no t-shirt (Ensemble A); 100% cotton t-shirt (Ensemble B); 100% woolen t-shirt (Ensemble C); synthetic t-shirt (Ensemble D: nylon, polyethylene, elastane); hybrid shirt (Ensemble E). RESULTS: Thermal and cardiovascular strain progressively increased throughout each trial, with the average terminal core temperature being 38.5 degrees C and heart rate peaking at 170 bpm across all trials. However, no significant between-trial separations were evident for core or mean skin temperatures, or for heart rate, sweat production, evaporation, the within-ensemble water vapor pressures, or for thermal or clothing discomfort. CONCLUSION: Thus, under these conditions, neither the t-shirt textile compositions, nor the presence or absence of an undergarment, offered any significant thermal, central cardiac, or comfort advantages. Furthermore, there was no evidence that any of these fabrics created a significantly drier microclimate next to the skin.

Balancing ballistic protection against physiological strain: evidence from laboratory and field trials.

This project was based on the premise that decisions concerning the ballistic protection provided to defence personnel should derive from an evaluation of the balance between protection level and its impact on physiological function, mobility, and operational capability. Civilians and soldiers participated in laboratory- and field-based studies in which ensembles providing five levels of ballistic protection were evaluated, each with progressive increases in protection, mass (3.4-11.0 kg), and surface-area coverage (0.25-0.52 m(2)). Physiological trials were conducted on volunteers (N = 8) in a laboratory, under hot-dry conditions simulating an urban patrol: walking at 4 km·h(-1) (90 min) and 6 km·h(-1) (30 min or to fatigue). Field-based trials were used to evaluate tactical battlefield movements (mobility) of soldiers (N = 31) under tropical conditions, and across functional tests of power, speed, agility, endurance, and balance. Finally, trials were conducted at a jungle training centre, with soldiers (N = 32) patrolling under tropical conditions (averaging 5 h). In the laboratory, work tolerance was reduced as protection increased, with deep-body temperature climbing relentlessly. However, the protective ensembles could be grouped into two equally stressful categories, each providing a different level of ballistic protection. This outcome was supported during the mobility trials, with the greatest performance decrement evident during fire and movement simulations, as the ensemble mass was increased (-2.12%·kg(-1)). The jungle patrol trials similarly supported this outcome. Therefore, although ballistic protection does increase physiological strain, this research has provided a basis on which to determine how that strain can be balanced against the mission-specific level of required personal protection.

To cool, but not too cool: that is the question--immersion cooling for hyperthermia.

INTRODUCTION: Patient cooling time can impact upon the prognosis of heat illness. Although ice-cold-water immersion will rapidly extract heat, access to ice or cold water may be limited in hot climates. Indeed, some have concerns regarding the sudden cold-water immersion of hyperthermic individuals, whereas others believe that cutaneous vasoconstriction may reduce convective heat transfer from the core. It was hypothesized that warmer immersion temperatures, which induce less powerful vasoconstriction, may still facilitate rapid cooling in hyperthermic individuals. METHODS: Eight males participated in three trials and were heated to an esophageal temperature of 39.5 degrees C by exercising in the heat (36 degrees C, 50% relative humidity) while wearing a water-perfusion garment (40 degrees C). Subjects were cooled using each of the following methods: air (20-22 degrees C), cold-water immersion (14 degrees C), and temperate-water immersion (26 degrees C). RESULTS: The time to reach an esophageal temperature of 37.5 degrees C averaged 22.81 min (air), 2.16 min (cold), and 2.91 min (temperate). Whereas each of the between-trial comparisons was statistically significant (P < 0.05), cooling in temperate water took only marginally longer than that in cold water, and one cannot imagine that the 45-s cooling time difference would have any meaningful physiological or clinical implications. CONCLUSION: It is assumed that this rapid heat loss was due to a less powerful peripheral vasoconstrictor response, with central heat being more rapidly transported to the skin surface for dissipation. Although the core-to-water thermal gradient was much smaller with temperate-water cooling, greater skin and deeper tissue blood flows would support a superior convective heat delivery. Thus, a sustained physiological mechanism (blood flow) appears to have countered a less powerful thermal gradient, resulting in clinically insignificant differences in heat extraction between the cold and temperate cooling trials.

Sweat secretion from the torso during passively-induced and exercise-related hyperthermia.

Thermal sweating from the human torso accounts for about half of the whole-body sweat secretion, yet its intra-segmental distribution has not been thoroughly examined. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to provide a detailed description of the distribution of eccrine sweating within the torso during passively-induced (water-perfusion garment: 40 degrees C) and progressively increasing, exercise-related thermal strain (36 degrees C, 60% relative humidity). Sudomotor function was measured in ten males using ventilated sweat capsules (3.16 cm(2)) attached to twelve sites on the ventral (four), lateral (three) and dorsal (four) torso, and upper shoulder surfaces. Sweating increased asymptotically in all sites, with the final core temperature averaging 39.7 degrees C (+/-0.1) and heart rates being 181 b min(-1) (+/-2). During exercise, the mean torso sweat rate averaged 1.35 mgcm(-2)min(-1), with sweating from the lateral torso surfaces generally being the lowest. Each of the between-site comparisons with the lateral torso differed significantly (P < 0.05), except for comparisons with the chest (P = 0.051) and shoulder (P > 0.05). The intra-segmental differences between the lateral torso and the chest, abdomen, upper- and lower-back areas were significantly accentuated during exercise. From these data, it is evident that the torso is another region that does not have a uniform distribution of thermally-induced sweating. Thus, it is no longer acceptable for researchers, modellers, sweating manikins engineers or clothing manufacturers to assume that the sweat rates for all local sites within any body segment are equivalent.