Heat Exchange Through Cutaneous Vasolidation after Atropine Treatment in a Cool Environment,
Abstract
This report summarizes a tightly controlled laboratory study in which the thermoregulatory effects of an intramuscular injection of atropine sulfate were compared with a placebo injection of sterile saline during exposure to a cool environment. Four subjects were tested during seated cycle exercise at a moderate exercise intensity. The expected decrease in whole body and local sweating rate occurred in the atropine treated subjects. By 10-15 min of exercise, radiative and convective heat exchange was significantly elevated from the head, chest, back, arm, forearm and thigh in the atropine experiments. Core temperature actually decreased 0.2 C in the atropine treated subjects during exercise as a result of enhanced dry heat exchange. By 25 min of exercise, Skin blood flow (FBF) was 98% greater after atropine treatment. These results show that the peripheral modification of cutaneous blood flow which occurs in atropine treated subjects is sufficient to markedly alter heat exchange in a cool environment. Keywords: Anticholinergic, Dry heat exchange, Sweating, Thermoregulation, Vasodilation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA189400
Entities
People
- Lou A. Stephenson
- Margaret A. Kolka
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine