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Factors which affect shivering in man during cold water immersion
Pflugers Archiv : European Journal of Physiology
|July 1, 1981
Summary
Mental arithmetic and forearm isometric contractions can reduce or stop shivering caused by cold water immersion. These findings offer insights into physiological responses to cold stress.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Environmental Medicine
- Thermoregulation
Background:
- Cold water immersion triggers involuntary shivering as a thermoregulatory response.
- Understanding factors that modulate shivering is crucial for managing cold exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of mental arithmetic and voluntary isometric muscle contraction on shivering during cold water immersion.
Main Methods:
- Six subjects were immersed in cold water (15.15 ± 0.42°C).
- Subjects performed mental arithmetic tasks and voluntary forearm isometric contractions.
- Shivering intensity was monitored during these interventions.
Main Results:
- Shivering was attenuated or abolished by the mental arithmetic task.
- Voluntary isometric forearm contractions also reduced shivering in some subjects.
- These interventions demonstrated a modulatory effect on the cold-induced shivering response.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive and voluntary motor tasks can significantly suppress cold-induced shivering.
- This suggests a complex interplay between central nervous system activity and thermoregulatory responses.
- Further research can explore the neural mechanisms underlying this shivering attenuation.
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