Caffeine Attenuates the Afterdrop in Rectal Temperature After Mild Cooling
Abstract
Previous research has shown that subjects who experience immersion hypothermia often show a continued decreased in rectal temperature (afterdrop) during the initial phase of rewarming. Because caffeine, the principal constituent of coffee, influences thermoregulatory and cardiovascular responses and is occasionally administered to individuals upon removal from cold exposure, we examined whether caffeine might influence rewarming after mild cooling. Seven male subjects were given either warm decaffeinated coffee containing 3.5 mg/kg caffeine or warm water after their rectal temperature was reduced by 0.5 C via immersion in cold (13 C) water. Between 20 and 40 minutes (min) after removal from cold water a o.8 C afterdrop in rectal temperature occurred in the noncaffeine control condition, while the condition administered caffeine showed a mean afterdrop of 0.5 C. After 120 min, the caffeine condition had rewarmed back to the pre-afterdrop criterion, while the control condition was still 0.5 below the criterion level. These data indicate that caffeine significantly attenuated the magnitude of the post-immersion afterdrop in rectal temperature.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 26, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA230228
Entities
People
- John R. Thomas
- Robert L. Hesslink
- Stephen B. Lewis
- Stephen T. Ahlers
Organizations
- Naval Medical Research Center