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Regional differences in peripheral vasoconstriction of prepubertal boys
Yoshimitsu Inoue1, Syunichi Nakamura, Kiichi Yonehiro
1Laboratory for Human Performance Research, Osaka International University, 6-21-57 Tohda-cho, Moriguchi, 570-8555 Osaka, Japan. inoueyos@hus.oiu.ac.jp
European Journal of Applied Physiology
|December 6, 2005
Summary
Prepubertal boys experience greater skin cooling on their limbs in cold conditions compared to young men. This difference is linked to body size and fat distribution, not solely vasoconstriction.
Area of Science:
- Human Physiology
- Thermoregulation
- Pediatric Research
Background:
- Children exhibit distinct physiological responses to environmental stressors compared to adults.
- Understanding age-related differences in thermoregulation is crucial for health and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms behind greater limb skin temperature decline in prepubertal boys versus young men during cold exposure.
- To compare cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) and anthropometric factors between the two age groups.
Main Methods:
- Subjects (boys and men) were exposed to a reduced ambient temperature (17°C).
- Skin temperature (Tsl) and cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) were measured across various body sites.
- Anthropometric measurements including surface area-to-mass ratio (AD/mass) and skinfold thickness were recorded.
Main Results:
- Boys showed a significantly greater decrease in limb skin temperature (forearm, finger, thigh) than men.
- Boys had a higher surface area-to-mass ratio and lower trunk skinfold thickness.
- While finger CVC declined more in boys (suggesting greater vasoconstriction), thigh CVC was similar, indicating limb cooling was primarily due to higher heat loss from greater AD/mass.
Conclusions:
- Greater limb skin cooling in boys during mild cold stress is influenced by anthropometric factors like increased surface area-to-mass ratio, not solely by differences in cutaneous vasoconstriction.
- Differences in subcutaneous fat and heat transfer also contribute to regional temperature variations between boys and men.
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