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Central command is capable of modulating sweating from non-glabrous human skin.
Manabu Shibasaki1, Niels H Secher, Christian Selmer
1Department of Human Environmental Health, Nara Women's University, Japan.
The Journal of Physiology
|October 14, 2003
Summary
Central command influences sweating rate during isometric handgrip exercise (IHG), particularly in normothermic and mildly heated conditions. Its effect diminishes with substantial increases in body temperature or sweating.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Thermoregulation
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Isometric handgrip exercise (IHG) increases sweating without altering core body temperature.
- The role of central command in IHG-induced sweating remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the contribution of central command to sweating rate during IHG.
- To examine how thermal conditions modulate central command's influence on sweating.
Main Methods:
- Seven subjects performed IHG with and without partial neuromuscular blockade (PNB) to augment central command.
- Forearm sweating rate was measured using microdialysis with and without neostigmine.
- Experiments were conducted under normothermic, mild heating, and moderate heating conditions.
Main Results:
- PNB increased sweating rate during IHG in normothermia and mild heating, despite reduced force production.
- During post-exercise ischemia, sweating and blood pressure returned to baseline faster in the PNB trial.
- The enhancing effect of PNB on sweating was not observed during moderate heating.
Conclusions:
- Central command can modulate sweating rate across thermal conditions.
- The influence of central command on sweating is attenuated when body temperature and sweating rate are significantly elevated.