Cold Adaptation of Korean Women Divers
Abstract
The metabolic and thermal responses were studied in six women divers (ama) and six non-diving women (control) during two hour immersion to water of 30, 31 and 33 deg C. In addition, the regional heat flux and the limb blood flow were also measured by using Hatfield gradient calorimeter discs and mercury-in-rubber strain gages, respectively. At the end of two hour immersion, the maximal tissue insulation, as calculated by (rectal temp.-water temp.)/skin heat loss, was greater in the ama than in the control in both seasons when a comparison was made at a given subcutaneous fat thickness. However, the lower arm and finger blood flow at a given water temperature was greater in the ama than in the control, indicating that the elevation of tissue insulation in the ama is not due to a greater peripheral vasoconstriction. Although there were considerable individual variations, the skin heat flux from the limb at a given temperature was not much different between the two groups. In other words, the skin heat flux for a given blood flow was lower in the ama as compared to the control. Moreover, the occlusion of limb blood flow resulted in reductions of skin heat flux by the same magnitude in both groups. On the basis of these results, it is speculated that the ama do not develop vascular adaptation as such but seem to have an efficient counter-current heat exchanger.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0663828
Entities
People
- Suk K. Hong
Organizations
- Yonsei University College of Medicine