Temperature-induced changes in neuromuscular function: central and peripheral mechanisms.
Three series of experimental tests were conducted on subjects under both elevated and depressed thermal conditions. Tripartite series consisted of whole-body immersion excepting the head, whole-body immersion excepting the head and response limb, and immersion of the discrete-response limb. Measures of physiological and behavioural responses were made at sequential .4 degrees C changes during whole-body immersions and approximately 5 degrees C changes of water temperature during the immersion of a limb only. Results suggested that velocity of nerve conduction decreased with thermal depression. Premotor, motor, simple, and choice reaction times varied differentially as a function of the hot and cold conditions. Implications of these differential effects on neuromuscular function are examined with respect to person-machine performance in artificially induced or naturally occurring extremes of ambient temperature.
D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D001831:Body Temperature; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000502:physiology*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission