Physiological and thermal responses of males with varying body compositions during immersion in moderately cold water.
The effect of body composition on the thermal and metabolic responses of 24 male volunteers (20 to 35 years) was examined during 90 min of moderately cold (18, 22, or 26 degrees C) water immersion to the first thoracic vertebrae. Body composition was determined via underwater densitometry. Subjects were divided with respect to body fat (high fat (HF) = 18-22%, n = 12; Low fat (LF) = 8-12%, n = 12) and randomly assigned to one of three water temperatures. Rectal temperature (degree C) after 90 min of immersion did not differ in LF and HF at 18 degrees C (35.9 vs. 36.2), 22 degrees C (36.0 vs. 36.0), and 26 degrees C (36.0 vs. 36.3). Oxygen uptake (VO2, ml-kg-1.min-1) was greater in LF than in HF in all water temperatures. Oxygen uptake at 90 min was greater for LF than HF in 18 degrees C (11.48 vs. 9.19), 22 degrees C (9.79 vs. 4.70), and 26 degrees C (6.21 vs. 5.44). Mean skin temperature in LF and HF approached water temperature within the first 5 min. Despite the thermal strain of cold water immersion, the LF subjects were able to maintain a similar Tre compared to the HF due to a significantly greater shivering thermogenesis.
Glickman-Weiss
E L
EL
Department of Kinesiology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803.
Goss
F L
FL
Robertson
R J
RJ
Metz
K F
KF
Cassinelli
D A
DA
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000328:Adult; D000332:Aerobiosis; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D001827:Body Height; D001830:Body Surface Area; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight; D003080:Cold Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007101:Immersion; D008297:Male; D008660:Metabolism; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water
D014867:Water