title: Changes in the peripheral blood flow in legs in response to the cold: own studies using plethysmography.
abstract: The thermal environment in the workplace is an important factor which affects workers' health. During 2011 in Poland, 14,781 workers were exposed to a cold working environment, i.e., 3.8% of persons employed in hazardous work conditions. The aim of this study was to determine the cardiovascular response to continuous (4 °C for 60 min) and intermittent (10 min at 4 °C and 10 min at room temperature alternately) exposure to the cold in 30 healthy men aged 20-27 years. Peripheral blood flow was assessed with impedance plethysmography. Heart rate and arterial blood pressure were monitored with the Holter system. Having assessed the results, it is difficult to say which kind of exposure has a more severe impact on the cardiovascular system. Longer observation and a more detailed analysis would be necessary (e.g., Doppler echocardiography).
authors.affiliation: a Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute (CIOP-PIB) , Poland.
authors.forename: Elżbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Łastowiecka-Moras
authors.affiliation: a Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute (CIOP-PIB) , Poland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bugajska
authors.affiliation: b Medical University of Łódź , Poland.
authors.forename: Ireneusz
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jurczak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010992:Plethysmography, Impedance; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cold environment; continuous exposure; impedance plethysmography; intermittent exposure; peripheral blood flow