Influence of Atropine on Physical Performance in the Heat,
Abstract
Atropine is the antidote of choice used in the treatment of exposure to cholinesterase inhibiting substances. To study the effects of intramuscular injection of atropine on static and dynamic muscular strength and endurance as well as performance and learning on a gross motor task (GMPT), a multiple dose (O) (saline), 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg), double blind design was utilized. Initially, 7 male volunteers were exposed to 4 days of treadmill walking (3 mph) for 2 hours each day in a hot, dry (40 C, 30% RH) environment to develop a state of partial acclimatization. This was followed by a series of similar exposures on alternate days. Muscle strength, GMPT and rectal temperature measurements were obtained 3-4 h subsequent to the im injection in the same environmental conditions. no significant changes (p > .05) were found using a one way repeated measures ANOVA comparing the 9 test days. Significant (p < .05) changes across test days were found for maximal handgrip strength, average torque of the elbow flexors at 30 deg sec and rectal temperature. The slope of the GMPT performance curve over the 9 test days indicated that there was a learning or familiarization effect. The same test given to a control group in a thermoneutral environment showed gradual increases in performance from day 1 to 7, apparently plateauing at day 8. Motor performance and motor learning were significantly decremented in the hot, dry environment combined with atropine compared to the thermoneutral environment without atropine.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA173029
Entities
People
- Brendan E. Joyce
- James A. Vogel
- Joseph J Knapik
- Patricia I. Fitzgerald
- William L. Daniels
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine