Peripheral Vasodilation Responses to Prevent Local Cold Injuries
Abstract
One of the earliest responses to cold exposure is decreased blood flow to the extremities. This can occur simply with facial cooling or by direct cooling of the hands and feet. The sympathetic response that drives this decrease in blood flow is maximal with whole-body cooling. This decreased blood flow limits the heat delivery to the extremities, and subsequent tissue cooling is associated with a decrease in thermal comfort and physical performance and an increased risk of peripheral cold injury. Methods are needed to increase extremity blood flow to minimise these adverse effects. Peripheral blood flow can be altered several ways. These can be classified into 3 broad categories, physiological (cold-induced vasodilation, CIVD), behavioural (increased exercise intensity), and technological (external heating). The purpose of this review is to summarise the role of CIVD, exercise, and external heating on dilating peripheral tissues and preventing injury during cold exposure.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA454681
Entities
People
- Catherine O'brien
- John W Castellani
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine