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Thermal insulation and shivering threshold in Greek sponge divers
Summary
Greek sponge divers using wetsuits showed no cold adaptation. Their body insulation was similar to controls, indicating wetsuits prevented acclimatization to cold water immersion.
Area of Science:
- Human Physiology
- Environmental Physiology
- Diving Medicine
Background:
- Cold water immersion poses physiological challenges.
- Wetsuits are commonly used to mitigate cold stress during diving.
- Understanding cold adaptation in divers is crucial for safety and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of wetsuit use on cold adaptation in Greek sponge divers.
- To compare physiological responses to cold water immersion between divers and non-divers.
- To determine the relationship between tissue insulation, fat thickness, and shivering onset.
Main Methods:
- Field study involving head-out immersions in 21°C water.
- Measurement of sublingual temperature (Tor), average skin temperature (Tsk), and skin heat flow (Hsk).
- Calculation of overall tissue insulation (It) and assessment of metabolic rate (M) and shivering.
Main Results:
- No statistical difference in the relationship between tissue insulation and subcutaneous fat thickness between divers and controls.
- Shivering onset occurred at a similar sublingual temperature (Tor) for both groups at a skin temperature (Tsk) of approximately 26°C.
- Metabolic sensitivity (M vs. Tor) was consistent across groups.
Conclusions:
- Prolonged wetsuit use appears to have prevented cold adaptation in Greek sponge divers.
- Divers did not exhibit enhanced physiological acclimatization to cold water compared to non-divers.
- Wetsuits may hinder the development of natural cold tolerance mechanisms in divers.