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Human physiological responses to cold exposure.

Jodie M Stocks1, Nigel A S Taylor, Michael J Tipton

  • 1Department of Biomedical Science, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, N.S.W., Australia.

Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|May 22, 2004
PubMed
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Human physiological responses to cold exposure are dominated by convective heat loss, triggering thermoregulation to maintain body temperature. Factors like cold intensity and individual traits influence outcomes, from performance decline to fatality.

Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Environmental Health
  • Thermoregulation

Background:

  • Convective heat loss is the primary mechanism of thermal energy transfer during unprotected human cold exposure, especially during immersion.
  • Lowering tissue temperatures activates thermoreceptors, initiating autonomic homeostatic responses like thermogenesis and vasoconstriction to maintain core body temperature.
  • Both superficial and deep thermoreceptor cooling can trigger thermoeffector responses, crucial for regulating body temperature within a narrow range.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive review of human physiological responses to acute cold exposure.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms of heat loss and thermoregulation under cold stress.
  • To identify factors moderating the physiological and performance consequences of cold exposure.
Keywords:
NASA Center ARCNASA Discipline Regulatory Physiology

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Main Methods:

  • This review synthesizes existing scientific literature on human physiological responses to acute cold exposure.
  • It examines the role of thermoreceptors and autonomic nervous system in mediating responses to cold stimuli.
  • The review analyzes factors influencing heat production and loss, and their impact on thermoregulation.

Main Results:

  • Convective heat loss is dominant in cold water immersion, stimulating thermoregulatory mechanisms.
  • Effective thermoregulation depends on the simultaneous cooling of superficial and deep thermoreceptors, though peripheral cooling alone can initiate responses.
  • Factors such as cold severity, duration, exercise, metabolic rate, body composition, age, and gender significantly moderate responses to cold stress.

Conclusions:

  • Human thermoregulation can be rapidly overwhelmed by cold stress, leading to impaired performance and potentially fatal outcomes.
  • Understanding these physiological responses is critical for mitigating the risks associated with acute cold exposure.
  • This review highlights the complex interplay of factors that determine an individual's vulnerability and response to cold environments.