Age and hypohydration independently influence the peripheral vascular response to heat stress.
Seven young (Y, 22-28 yr) and seven middle-aged (MA, 49-60 yr) normotensive men of similar body size, fatness, and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) were exposed to a heat challenge in an environmental chamber (48 degrees C, 15% relative humidity). Tests were performed in two hydration states: hydrated (H, 25 ml water/kg body wt 1 h before the test, 2.5 h before exercise) and hypohydrated (Hypo, after 18-20 h of water deprivation). Each test began with a 90-min rest period during which the transiently increased plasma volume and decreased osmolality after drinking in the H condition returned to base line. This period was followed by 30 min of cycle exercise at a mean intensity of 43% VO2max and a 60-min resting recovery period with water ad libitum. Although prior drinking caused no sustained changes in plasma osmolality, Hypo increased plasma osmolality by 7-10 mosmol/kg in both groups. There were no significant age differences in water intake, urine output or osmolality, overall change in body weight, or sweating rate. In the H state, the percent change in plasma volume was less (P less than 0.01) during exercise for the Y group (-5.9 +/- 0.7%) than for the MA group (-9.4 +/- 0.6%). Esophageal temperature (Tes) was higher in the Hypo condition for both groups with no age-related differences. Throughout the 3-h period, mean skin temperature was higher in the Y group and significantly so (P less than 0.05) in the Hypo condition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Kenney
W L
WL
Laboratory for Human Performance Research, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802.
Tankersley
C G
CG
Newswanger
D L
DL
Hyde
D E
DE
Puhl
S M
SM
Turner
N L
NL
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D003681:Dehydration / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000503:physiopathology; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology