Atropine and Thermoregulation in Man (A Report of Three Studies),
Abstract
This report summarizes the findings of three studies which concerned atropine-impaired thermoregulation in male soldiers who exercised in hot environments. Study I examined the effects of field applicable doses (2, 4 mg im.) of atropine on soldiers in fatigue uniforms who walked in a hot-dry (40 C/20% rh) environment; the gradation of these effects with increased dosage (0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg); and the repeatability of responses to a 2 mg dosage. Study II examined the effects of heat acclimation on atropinized subjects (2 mg im.) during an exercise-heat exposure (49 C/20% rh), and discussed some advantages conferred by heat acclimation, including increased total body sweating rate and prolonged work time. Study III examined the effects of three different environmental conditions (42 C/2-% rh, 34 C/55% rh, 30 C/70% rh) on exercise performance and heat transfer following atropine (2 mg im.). Conclusions for Study I indicate that the relationship between atropine dose and heart rate (HR) is curvilinear (HR plateaued as dose increased) while the relationship with rectal temperature (Tre) is linear; 0.5 mg atropine resulted in increased HR and mean weighted skin temperature (T sub sk); and T sub re was unaffected by previous days of atropine administration. Study II demonstrated that heat acclimation improved the endurance time of atropine-treated subjects in a hot-dry environment, due in part to potentiation of sweat gland activity enabling greater evaporative cooling.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA163738
Entities
People
- Bruce S. Cadarette
- Leslie Levine
- Margaret A. Kolka
- Richard R. Gonzalez
- William L. Holden
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine