The perceptual and physiological responses of high and low fat women exposed to 5 degrees C air for 120 minutes.
The present investigation dichotomized female subjects by percentage of fat (low fat [LF] = 19.2+/-3% [n = 4] vs high fat [HF] = 29.9+/-3% [n = 4]) to elucidate the perceptual and physiological responses during acute exposure to 5 degrees C air for 120 min. Correlational analyses were used to assess the relationship between thermal sensection (TS) and differences between LF and HF groups. Significant (p < 0.01) differences existed between the groups for TS when values were pooled over time, where HF had a lower TS (5.9+/-0.6) than LF (7.9+/-0.5). Additionally, a significant (p < 0.01) main effect for time existed, where TS, when pooled over groups T5 (3.8+/-0.7) and T30 (5.4+/-0.9), was less than T60 (7.4+/-0.6), T90 (8.6+/-0.5), and T120 (9.1+/-0.4). No significant fat x time interaction was noted despite apparent perceptual differences between the groups at most of the time points. Further, the relationships between TS and percentage of fat and fat mass were either significant or exhibited strong trends toward significance at time points T5, T30, and T60. When rectal temperature (Tre) was pooled over the four time points, the fat groups differed significantly (p < 0.05); LF (-0.21+/-0.04 degrees C) exhibited a greater ATre than HF (-0.03+/-0.04 degrees C). When Tre was pooled across the fat groups, significant (p < 0.01) differences over time were detected. From these data, it appears that the modified TS scale tested may be a good marker of thermal discomfort in females exposed to the cold because perceptual differences were noted between the groups, accompanied by apparent differences in Tre between the LF and HF groups.
Glickman-Weiss
E L
EL
Department of Biological and Exercise Sciences, Northeastern Illinois University, Kent State University, OH 44242-0001, USA.
Hearon
C M
CM
Prisby
R
R
Caine
N
N
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000388:Air; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D001831:Body Temperature; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000503:physiopathology; D012881:Skin Temperature; D013697:Thermosensing / Q000502:physiology*