Comparative Sweat Rates of Eskimos and Caucasians Under Controlled Conditions
Abstract
Comparative sweat rates and metabolic rates were measured in Eskimos and whites under three separate conditions. Thermometric studies were performed on two individuals from each group in order to permit correlations with body heat balance, body temperature, etc. The evidence indicated a greater heat production in the Eskimo group at rest and during standard comparative exercises. Under conditions favoring body heat debt, no difference in insensible water loss occurred between the two groups. The average skin temperature of the Eskimo did tend to be elevated above the whites' at all environmental temperatures below 35 deg C. This, undoubtedly, was due to the increased heat production of the Eskimo group and the resultant increased heat flux to the skin. A high correlation existed between the average skin temperature and sweat rates of both the Eskimo and white groups, and the frequency-distribution of the data was the same for both. This indicates that the thermosensory receptors in the skin of the Eskimo were stimulated relatively more under these conditions because of their warmer skin. The increased thermosensory activity from skin receptors would account for the increased sweat activity of this group.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1957
- Accession Number
- AD0294094
Entities
People
- Donald W. Rennie
- Kaare Rodahl