Effects of brief leg cooling after moderate exercise on cardiorespiratory responses to subsequent exercise in the heat

We investigated the effects of brief leg cooling after moderate exercise on the cardiorespiratory responses to subsequent exercise in the heat. Following 40 min of ergometer cycling [65% peak oxygen uptake (O_2peak)] at 35°C (Ex. 1), seven male subjects [21.9 (1.1) years of age; 170.9 (1.9) cm height; 66.0 (2.0) kg body mass; 46.7 (2.0) ml kg^–1 min^–1 O_2peak] immersed their legs in 35°C (control condition, CONT) or 20°C (cooling condition, COOL) water for 5 min and then repeated the cycling (as before, but for 10 min) (Ex. 2). Just before Ex. 2, esophageal temperature (T _es) was lower in COOL than in CONT [36.9 (0.2) vs 37.5 (0.1)°C] (P<0.01), as also were both mean skin temperature [33.9 (0.2) vs 35.2 (0.2)°C] (P<0.01), and heart rate (HR) [93.2 (6.0) vs 102.7 (4.9) beats min^–1] (P<0.05). During Ex. 2, no differences between CONT and COOL were observed in oxygen uptake, arterial blood pressure, blood lactate concentration, or ratings of perceived exertion; however, T _es, skin temperature, and HR were lower in COOL than in CONT. Further, during the first 5 min of Ex. 2, minute ventilation was significantly lower in COOL than in CONT [50.3 (2.0) vs 53.4 (2.6) l min^–1] (P<0.01). These results suggest that brief leg cooling during the recovery period may be effective at reducing thermal and cardiorespiratory strain during subsequent exercise in the heat.     

Comparison of two cool vests on heat-strain reduction while wearing a firefighting ensemble

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a six-pack versus a four-pack cool vest in reducing heat strain in men dressed in firefighting ensemble, while resting and exercising in a warm/humid environment [34.4°C (day bulb), 28.9°C (wet bulb)]. Male volunteers (n = 12) were monitored for rectal temperature (T _re), mean skin temperature (T _sk), heart rate, and energy expenditure during three test trials: control (no cool vest), four-pack vest, and six-pack vest. The cool vests were worn under the firefighting ensemble and over Navy dungarees. The protocol consisted of two cycles of 30 min seated rest and 30 min walking on a motorized treadmill (1.12 m · s^–1, 0% grade). Tolerance time for the control trial (93 min) was significantly less than both vest trials (120 min). Throughout heat exposure, energy expenditure varied during rest and exercise, but no differences existed among all trials (P > 0.05). During the first 60 min of heat exposure, physiological responses were similar for the four-pack and six-pack vests. However, during the second 60 min of heat exposure the six-pack vest had a greater impact on reducing heat strain than the four-pack vest. PeakT _e andT _sk at the end of heat exposure for 6-pack vest [mean (SD) 38.0(0.3)°C and 36.8(0.7)°C] were significantly lower compared to four-pack [38.6 (0.4)°C and 38.1(0.5)°C] and controls [38.9(0.5)°C and 38.4(0.5)°C]. Our findings suggest that the six-pack vest is more effective than the four-pack vest at reducing heat strain and improves performance of personnel wearing a firefighting ensemble.     

Thermoregulatory influence of a cooling vest on hyperthermic athletes

CONTEXT: Athletic trainers must have sound evidence for the best practices in treating and preventing heat-related emergencies and potentially catastrophic events. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of a superficial cooling vest on core body temperature (T(c)) and skin temperature (T(sk)) in hypohydrated hyperthermic male participants. DESIGN: A randomized control design with 2 experimental groups. SETTING: Participants exercised by completing the heat-stress trial in a hot, humid environment (ambient temperature = 33.1 +/- 3.1 degrees C, relative humidity = 55.1 +/- 8.9%, wind speed = 2.1 +/- 1.1 km/hr) until a T(c) of 38.7 +/- 0.3 degrees C and a body mass loss of 3.27 +/- 0.1% were achieved. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Ten healthy males (age = 25.6 +/- 1.6 years, mass = 80.3 +/- 13.7 kg). INTERVENTION(S): Recovery in a thermoneutral environment wearing a cooling vest or without wearing a cooling vest until T(c) returned to baseline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Rectal T(c), arm T(sk), time to return to baseline T(c), and cooling rate. RESULTS: During the heat-stress trial, T(c) significantly increased (3.6%) and, at 30 minutes of recovery, T(c) had decreased significantly (2.6%) for both groups. Although not significant, the time for return to baseline T(c) was 22.6% faster for the vest group (43.8 +/- 15.1 minutes) than for the no-vest group (56.6 +/- 18.0 minutes), and the cooling rate for the vest group (0.0298 +/- 0.0072 degrees C/min) was not significantly different from the cooling rate for the no-vest group (0.0280 +/- 0.0074 degrees C/min). The T(sk) during recovery was significantly higher (2.1%) in the vest group than in the no-vest group and was significantly lower (7.1%) at 30 minutes than at 0 minutes for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: We do not recommend using the cooling vest to rapidly reduce elevated T(c). Ice-water immersion should remain the standard of care for rapidly cooling severely hyperthermic individuals.     

Hand immersion in cold water alleviating physiological strain and increasing tolerance to uncompensable heat stress

The current study examines the use of hand immersion in cold water to alleviate physiological strain caused by exercising in a hot climate while wearing NBC protective garments. Seventeen heat acclimated subjects wearing a semi-permeable NBC protective garment and a light bulletproof vest were exposed to a 125 min exercise-heat stress (35 degrees C, 50% RH; 5 km/h, 5% incline). The heat stress exposure routine included 5 min rest in the chamber followed by two 50:10 min work-rest cycles. During the control trial (CO), there was no intervention, whilst in the intervention condition the subjects immersed their hands and forearms in a 10 degrees C water bath (HI). The results demonstrated that hand immersion in cold water significantly reduced physiological strain. In the CO exposure during the first and second resting periods, the average rectal temperature (T (re)) practically did not decrease. With hand immersion, the mean (SD) T (re) decreased by 0.45 (0.05 degrees C) and 0.48 degrees C (0.06 degrees C) during the first and second rest periods respectively (P < 0.005). Significant decreases in skin temperature, sweat rate, heart rate, and heat storage was also noted in the HI vs. the CO trials. Tolerance time in the HI exposure were longer than in the CO exposure (only 12 subjects in the CO trial endured the entire heat exposure session, as opposed to all 17 subjects in the HI group). It is concluded that hand immersion in cold water for 10 min is an effective method for decreasing the physiological strain caused by exercising under heat stress while wearing NBC protective garments. The method is convenient, simple, and allows longer working periods in hot or contaminated areas with shorter resting periods.     

Post-exercise cooling techniques in hot,humid conditions

Major sporting events are often held in hot and humid environmental conditions. Cooling techniques have been used to reduce the risk of heat illness following exercise. This study compared the efficacy of five cooling techniques, hand immersion (HI), whole body fanning (WBF), an air cooled garment (ACG), a liquid cooled garment (LCG) and a phase change garment (PCG), against a natural cooling control condition (CON) over two periods between and following exercise bouts in 31°C, 70%RH air. Nine males [age 22 (3) years; height 1.80 (0.04) m; mass 69.80 (7.10) kg] exercised on a treadmill at a maximal sustainable work intensity until rectal temperature (T _re) reached 38.5°C following which they underwent a resting recovery (0–15 min; COOL 1). They then recommenced exercise until T _re again reached 38.5°C and then undertook 30 min of cooling with (0–15 min; COOL 2A), and without face fanning (15–30 min; COOL 2B). Based on mean body temperature changes (COOL 1), WBF was most effective in extracting heat: CON 99 W; WBF: 235 W; PCG: 141 W; HI: 162 W; ACG: 101 W; LCG: 49 W) as a consequence of evaporating more sweat. Therefore, WBF represents a cheap and practical means of post-exercise cooling in hot, humid conditions in a sporting setting.     

Metabolic syndrome is associated with delayed heart rate recovery after exercise

Heart rate (HR) recovery after exercise is a function of vagal reactivation, and its impairment is a predictor of overall mortality and adverse cardiovascular events. While metabolic syndrome is associated with sympathetic overactivity, little is known about the relationship between metabolic syndrome and HR recovery. A symptom-limited exercise stress test in healthy subjects (n=1, 434) was used to evaluate HR recovery. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP-III) criteria. Seventeen percent of subjects had > or =3 criteria for metabolic syndrome. HR recovery was lower in men than women and in smokers than nonsmokers. The subject with metabolic syndrome (vs. without) showed lower HR recovery (10.3+/-11.6 vs. 13.6+/-9.7 per minute) and higher resting HR (64.3+/-10.3 vs. 61.6+/-9.1 per minute). HR recovery correlated inversely to age (r=-0.25, p<0.0001), but not to resting HR or maximal oxygen uptake. Delayed HR recovery was associated with metabolic syndrome after an adjustment for age, sex, resting HR and smoking (p<0.01). Metabolic syn-drome is associated with impaired vagal reactivation. Adverse cardiovascular out-comes associated with metabolic syndrome may be mediated by the failure of vagal reactivation in addition to sympathetic overactivity.     

Impact of a protective vest and spacer garment on exercise-heat strain

Protective vests worn by global security personnel, and weighted vests worn by athletes, may increase physiological strain due to added load, increased clothing insulation and vapor resistance. The impact of protective vest clothing properties on physiological strain, and the potential of a spacer garment to reduce physiological strain, was examined. Eleven men performed 3 trials of intermittent treadmill walking over 4 h in a hot, dry environment (35°C, 30% rh). Volunteers wore the US Army battledress uniform (trial B), B + protective vest (trial P), and B + P + spacer garment (trial S). Biophysical clothing properties were determined and found similar to many law enforcement, industry, and sports ensembles. Physiological measurements included core (T _c), mean skin (T _sk) and chest (T _chest) temperatures, heart rate (HR), and sweating rate (SR). The independent impact of clothing was determined by equating metabolic rate in all trials. In trial P, HR was +7 b/min higher after 1 h of exercise and +19 b/min by the fourth hour compared to B (P < 0.05). T _c (+0.30°C), T _sk (+1.0°C) and Physiological Strain Index were all higher in P than B (P < 0.05). S did not abate these effects except to reduce T _sk (P > S) via a lower T _chest (−0.40°C) (P < 0.05). SR was higher (P < 0.05) in P and S versus B, but the magnitude of differences was small. A protective vest increases physiological strain independent of added load, while a spacer garment does not alter this outcome.     

Prostaglandin E release from dog skeletal muscle during restricted flow exercise.

Prostaglandin E (PGE) release from the anterior calf muscles of anesthetized dogs was measured during and following exercise. Blood flow was held constant at 15.5 +/- 1.6 (SEM) ml.min-1. 100 g-1 and the muscles were stimulated for 20 min at a frequency of 4 Hz. PGE release dropped from a resting level of 11.4 +/- 3.8 ng.min-1.100 g-1 to 6.5 +/- 2.0 ng.min-1.100 g-1 during exercise (P less than 0.05). Following exercise, PGE release slowly returned to and eventually exceeded the resting level over a 60-min period. Return of vascular resistance to control was even more prolonged. Indomethacin (5 mg/kg) caused 1) an increase in resting resistance (40%), 2) a drop in PGE release (48% at rest), and 3) a more rapid return of vascular resistance to control following exercise. PGE release does not appear to contribute to the vasodilation during exercise, but can account for the portion of vascular resistance recovery not blocked by indomethacin. The remaining prolonged vasodilation could be explained by another as yet unidentified vasodilator(s). This preparation exhibits tonic prostaglandin release that causes a vasodilation at rest.     

Exhaled nitric oxide level during and after heavy exercise in athletes with exercise-induced hypoxaemia

Endogenous nitric oxide (NO) is an important mediator of vasodilatation, bronchodilatation and lung inflammation. We hypothesised that the exhaled NO level may be modified in some endurance-trained athletes during and after intense exercise. Nine athletes with exercise-induced hypoxaemia (EIH), 12 athletes without EIH and 10 untrained subjects exercised for 15 min at 90% maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2)max). Exhaled NO was measured during exercise, and after 1 h and 22 h of recovery. Exhaled NO concentration ( C(NO)) decreased significantly during exercise in all subjects and returned to basal values after 1 h of recovery with no further modification. Exhaled NO output (V(NO)) rose significantly during exercise, rapidly dropped down following exercise and was similar to resting values after 1 h and 22 h of recovery. The results also showed that C(NO) and V(NO) were significantly lower in the athletes with EIH in comparison with the untrained subjects (V(NO) was 5.32 +/- 0.77 nmol/min versus 3.61 +/- 0.72 nmol/min at rest, 18.52 +/- 1.50 nmol/min versus 15.00 +/- 2.06 nmol/min during heavy exercise, and 5.52 +/- 1.04 nmol/min versus 3.79 +/- 0.76 nmol/min after 22 h recovery, in untrained subjects and EIH athletes, respectively). These findings do not confirm the hypothesis of pulmonary inflammation associated with EIH. However, potential NO epithelial down-regulation may occur and contribute to the development of gas exchange abnormality in some endurance-trained athletes.     

Effect of hypohydration on core temperature during exercise in temperate and hot environments

The purpose of this study was to compare directly the physiological consequences of 5% hypohydration or euhydration during exercise in both temperate (23 degrees C) and hot (33 degrees C) environments. The subjects were eight male volunteers. Each performed four 1-h exercise bouts at 60% maximum oxygen uptake, one in each of the following conditions: hot-hypohydrated, hot-euhydrated, temperate-hypohydrated, and temperate-euhydrated. Heart rate (HR), rectal temperature (Tre), forearm blood flow, and oxygen uptake were measured after 20, 40, and 60 min exercise. Whole-body sweat rate was also determined for each exercise bout. Hypohydration increased Tre significantly (P<0.05) more in the hot environment (0.16 degrees C per 1% decrease in body mass) than in the temperate environment (0.08 degrees C per 1% hypohydration). Furthermore, compared with euhydration, hypohydration decreased forearm blood flow and whole-body sweat rate significantly more during exercise in the hot than in the temperate environment. The reductions in forearm blood flow and whole-body sweat rate appear to have decreased heat loss, thus accounting for the increase in Tre during exercise in the heat while hypohydrated. In conclusion, this study illustrates that the physiological consequences of hypohydration during exercise are exacerbated in the heat.     

Preload maintenance and the left ventricular response to prolonged exercise in men

This study examined whether left ventricular function was reduced during 3 h of semi-recumbent ergometer cycling at 70% of maximal oxygen uptake while preload to the heart was maintained via saline infusion. Indices of left ventricular systolic function (end-systolic blood pressure-volume relationship, SBP/ESV) and diastolic filling (ratio of early to late peak filling velocities into the left ventricle, E:A) were calculated during recovery and compared with baseline resting data. During exercise in seven healthy, trained male subjects, an arterial catheter allowed continuous assessment of arterial pressure, stroke volume (SV), cardiac output ( ) and an index of contractility (dP/dt(max)). A venous catheter assessed that central venous pressure (CVP) was maintained throughout rest, exercise and 10 min into recovery. Both systolic blood pressure and heart rate (HR) increased with the onset of exercise (from 132 +/- 5 to 185 +/- 19 mmHg and from 66 +/- 9 to 135 +/- 23 beats min(-1); increases from rest to the end of the first 5 min of exercise in SBP and HR, respectively) but systolic blood pressure did not change from 30 to 180 min of exercise ( approximately 150 mmHg), while heart rate only increased by 8 +/- 9 beats min(-1) (means +/- s.d.; P > 0.05). The attenuated increase in HR compared with other studies suggests that the maintained CVP ( approximately 5 mmHg) helped to prevent cardiovascular drift in this protocol. Stroke volume, and dP/dt(max) were all increased with the onset of exercise (from 85 +/- 8 to 120 +/- 18 ml, from 5.4 +/- 1.3 to 16.5 +/- 3.3 l min(-1) and from 14.4 +/- 4 to 28 +/- 8 mmHg s(-1); values from rest to the end of the first 5 min of exercise for SV, and dP/dt(max), respectively) and were maintained during exercise. There was no difference in the SBP/ESV ratio from pre- to postexercise. Conversely, E:A was reduced from 2.0 +/- 0.4 to 1.6 +/- 0.5 postexercise (P < 0.05), returning to normal values at 24 h postexercise. This change in diastolic filling could not be fully explained (r(2) = 0.39) by an increased heart rate and, with CVP unchanged, it is likely to represent some depression of intrinsic relaxation properties of left ventricular myocytes. Three hours of semi-supine cycling resulted in no evidence of a depression in left ventricular systolic function, while left ventricular diastolic function declined postexercise.     

Influence of light physical activity on cardiac responses during recovery from exercise in humans

To examine the influence of light exercise on cardiac responses during recovery from exercise, we measured heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), and cardiac output (Q˙ _c) in five healthy untrained male subjects in an upright position before, during, and after 10-min steady-state cycle exercise at an exercise intensity of 170?W, corresponding to a mean of 68 (SD 4)% of maximal oxygen uptake. The recovery phase was evaluated separately for three different conditions: 10?min of complete rest (passive recovery), 7?min of pedalling at 20-W exercise intensity followed by 3?min of rest (partially active recovery), and 7?min of pedalling at 40-W exercise intensity followed by 3?min of rest (partially active recovery), on an upright cycle ergometer. The time courses of decreases in HR in the two active recovery phases at different exercise intensities were almost identical to those in the passive recovery phase. However, the subsequent HR reductions during the rest after active recovery at 20?W and at 40?W were mean 7.5 (SD 4.4) and mean 10.0 (SD 3.1) beats?·?min^?1, respectively, both of which were significantly larger (P<0.05 and P<0.005) than the corresponding reduction [1.4 (SD 2.5) beats ·?min^?1] for passive recovery. The SV values at the two exercise intensities during the active recovery periods were maintained at levels similar to that during 170-W steady-state exercise. In contrast, the SV during passive recovery decreased gradually to a level significantly below the initial baseline level at rest before exercise (P<0.05). The resultant time courses of CO values during active recovery were significantly higher (each P<0.05) than that during passive recovery. It was concluded from these findings that light post-exercise physical activity plays an important role in facilitating the venous return from the muscles and in restoring the elevated HR to the pre-exercise resting level.     

Lowering of resting core temperature during acclimation is influenced by exercise stimulus

The decrease in resting core temperature (T (co)) and its relation to the reduced physiological strain during heat acclimation was analysed with rectal temperature data measured in three groups of eight semi-nude persons (6 males, 2 females) who were acclimated for 15 consecutive days to dry, humid and radiant heat, respectively, with equivalent WBGT (33.5 degrees C), by performing 2-h treadmill work. A fourth group followed the same protocol for 12 days in a neutral climate. After acclimation, both resting T (co), prior to heat exposure, and final T (co), measured at the end of work, were significantly reduced. The reduction in final T (co) increased with decreasing ambient water vapour pressure and was higher for the data pooled over the heat conditions (0.46 +/- 0.31 degrees C) than in the neutral climate (0.21 +/- 0.25 degrees C), whereas resting T (co) declined similarly in the heat (0.20 +/- 0.25 degrees C) and the neutral environment (0.17 +/- 0.23 degrees C). The lowering of resting and final T (co) after heat acclimation showed a significant correlation (r = 0.67) and regression analysis showed that 37% of the average reduction in final T (co) was attributable to the lowering of resting T (co). The same analysis was applied after extending the database by short-term series of clothed persons (17 females, 16 males) acclimated at 29.5 and 31.5 degrees C WBGT for 5 days. A significant correlation was found between the lowering of resting and final T (co) (r = 0.57) that did not depend on climatic conditions and gender, although the reduction in resting T (co) was significantly smaller for females (0.06 +/- 0.22 degrees C) than for males (0.21 +/- 0.23 degrees C). It is concluded that the lowering of resting core temperature contributes to the reduced physiological strain during heat acclimation. Similar effects under neutral conditions point to the exercise stimulus as a probable explanation.     

Brain activity and fatigue during prolonged exercise in the heat

We hypothesized that fatigue due to hyperthermia during prolonged exercise in the heat is in part related to alterations in frontal cortical brain activity. The electroencephalographic activity (EEG) of the frontal cortex of the brain was measured in seven cyclists [maximal O2 uptake (VO2max) 4.8 +/- 0.1 (SE) 1 min-1] cycling at 60% VO2max in a hot (H, 42 degrees C) and a cool (C, 19 degrees C) environment. Fast Fourier transformation of the EEG was used to obtain power spectrum areas in the alpha (8-13 Hz) and beta (13-30 Hz) frequencies. The ratio alpha/beta was calculated as an index of arousal level; an elevated alpha/beta index reflects suppressed arousal. In H, subjects fatigued after 34.4 +/- 1.4 min coinciding with an oesophageal temperature (Toes) of 39.8 +/- 0.1 degrees C, an almost maximal heart rate (HR 192 +/- 3 beats.min-1), a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) of 19.0 +/- 0.8 and significantly elevated alpha/beta index (188 +/- 71% of the value after 2 min of exercise; P < 0.05). In C, subjects cycled for a similar period while Toes was below 38 degrees C, HR and RPE were low, and the alpha/beta index was not significantly elevated (59 +/- 27% of 2 min value; P = NS). Increases in the alpha/beta index were strongly correlated to increases in Toes (r2 = 0.98; P = 0.0001).     

Beta blocker effects on heart rate during sleep: a placebo-controlled polysomnographic study with normotensive males.

Although the effect of beta blockers on heart rate (HR) at rest, during exercise, and by ambulatory electrocardiography during the day and night has been studied extensively, data on the effect of these drugs on heart rate during the various stages of sleep are not available. We performed overnight polysomnography and exercise testing in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Latin square crossover study of four beta blockers with different ancillary properties (atenolol 100 mg daily, metoprolol 100 mg, pindolol 10 mg, and propranolol 80 mg), on 30 healthy men aged 23-40 years (29.4 +/- 4.3) (mean +/- SD). At rest pindolol increased HR by 4.7 beats/min +/- 13.1 (p less than 0.05), while beta blockers without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA) decreased HR (p less than 0.0001) by 6.1 +/- 8.8 (atenolol), 5.8 +/- 8.4 (propranolol), and 5.0 +/- 9.4 (metoprolol). Exercise at 125 W increased HR on placebo by 76.4 +/- 18.4 beats. Compared to placebo all beta blockers were associated with lower (p less than 0.0001) exercise HR by 18.3 +/- 23.2 atenolol, 21.1 +/- 15.5 metoprolol, 16.8 +/- 14.1 pindolol, and 20.8 +/- 13.1 propranolol [not significant (NS) among beta blockers]. Thus the effect of beta blockers on heart rate was magnified during exercise. Mean and maximum HR were higher in rapid eye movement (REM) than in nonREM (NREM) sleep (p less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Physiological responses to cycling for 60 minutes at maximal lactate steady state.

Changes in physiological variables during a 60-min continuous test at maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) were studied using highly conditioned cyclists (1 female and 9 males, aged 28.3 +/- 8.1 years). To determine power at MLSS, we tested at 8-min increments and interpolated the power corresponding to a blood lactate value of 4 mmol/L. During the subsequent 60-min exercise at MLSS, we observed a sequential increase of physiological parameters, in contrast to stable blood lactate. Heart rate drifted upward from beginning to end of exercise. This became statistically significant after 30 min. From 10-60 min of exercise, a change of +12.6 +/- 3.2 bpm was noted. Significant drift was seen after 30 min for the respiratory exchange ratio, after 40 min for the rate of perceived exertion using the Borg scale, and after 50 min for % VO(2)max/kg and minute ventilation. This slow component of VO(2)max may be the result of higher recruitment of type II fibers.     

Effects of caffeine and high ambient temperature on haemodynamic and body temperature responses to dynamic exercise.

Caffeine can enhance mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and attenuate forearm blood flow (FBF) and forearm vascular conductance (FVC) during exercise in thermal neutral conditions without altering body temperature. During exercise at higher ambient temperatures, where a greater transfer of heat from the body core to skin would be expected, caffeine-induced attenuation of FBF (i.e. cutaneous blood flow) could attenuate heat dissipation and increase body temperature (T(re)). We hypothesized that during exercise at an ambient temperature of 38 degrees C, caffeine increases MAP, and attenuates FBF and FVC such that T(re) is increased. Eleven caffeine-naive, active men, were studied at rest and during exercise after ingestion of a placebo or 6 mg kg(-1) of caffeine. MAP, heart rate (HR), FBF, FVC, T(re) skin temperature (T(sk)) and venous lactate concentrations (lactate) were assessed sequentially during rest at room temperature, after 45 min of exposure to an ambient temperature of 38 degrees C, and during 35 min of submaximal cycling. Heat exposure caused increases in MAP, FBF, FVC and T(sk) that were not altered by caffeine. HR, T(re), and lactate were unaffected. During exercise, only MAP (95 +/- 2 vs. 102 +/- 2 mmHg), HR (155 +/- 10 vs. 165 +/- 10 beats min(-1)), and lactate (2.0 +/- 0.4 vs. 2.3 +/- 0.4 mmol l(-1)) were increased by caffeine. These data indicate that increases in cutaneous blood flow during exercise in the heat are not reduced by caffeine. This may be because of activation of thermal reflexes that cause cutaneous vasodilation capable of offsetting caffeine-induced reductions in blood flow. Caffeine-induced increases in lactate, MAP and HR during exercise suggest that this drug and high ambient temperatures increase production of muscle metabolites that cause reflex cardiovascular responses.     

Effects of the muscle pump and body posture on cardiovascular responses during recovery from cycle exercise

The purpose of the study was to characterize the effects of muscular contractions (the muscle pump) and body posture on cardiovascular responses during recovery from moderate exercise in the upright-sitting or supine positions. Heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), and cardiac output (CO) were measured in seven young male subjects at rest and during 10-min of cycle exercise at 60% of peak oxygen uptake This was followed by either complete rest for 5 min (inactive recovery) or cycling at for 5 min (active recovery) in the upright or supine positions. In the upright position, an initial rapid decrease in HR was followed by a gradual decrease in HR, and this response was similar when comparing inactive and active recoveries. Upright SV during inactive recovery decreased gradually to the pre-exercise resting level, whereas upright SV during active recovery remained significantly elevated. In contrast, in the supine position, the HR during active recovery decreased, but remained significantly higher than that during inactive recovery. Changes in supine SV were similar when comparing inactive and active recovery. Thus, maintenance of SV and HR resulted in significantly greater CO during active recovery than during inactive recovery, regardless of body position. HR was greater during supine active-recovery than during supine inactive-recovery, and there was no difference in SV. These data suggest that the muscle pump is less important in facilitating venous return and vagal resumption in the supine position as compared to the upright position.     

The impact of different cooling modalities on the physiological responses in firefighters during strenuous work performed in high environmental temperatures

This study investigated the impact of ice vests and hand/forearm immersion on accelerating the physiological recovery between two bouts of strenuous exercise in the heat [mean (SD), 49.1(1.3)°C, RH 12 (1)]. On four occasions, eight firefighters completed two 20-min bouts of treadmill walking (5 km h, 7.5% gradient) while wearing standard firefighter protective clothing. Each bout was separated by a 15-min recovery period, during which one of four conditions were administered: ice vest (VEST), hand/forearm immersion (W), ice vest combined with hand/forearm immersion (VEST + W) and control (CON). Core temperature was significantly lower at the end of the recovery period in the VEST + W (37.97 ± 0.23°C) and W (37.96 ± 0.19°C) compared with the VEST (38.21 ± 0.12°C) and CON (38.29 ± 0.25°C) conditions and remained consistently lower throughout the second bout of exercise. Heart rate responses during the recovery period and bout 2 were similar between the VEST + W and W conditions which were significantly lower compared with the VEST and CON which did not differ from each other. Mean skin temperature was significantly lower at the start of bout 2 in the cooling conditions compared with CON; these differences reduced as exercise progressed. These findings demonstrate that hand/forearm immersion (~19°C) is more effective than ice vests in reducing the physiological strain when firefighters re-enter structural fires after short rest periods. Combining ice vests with hand/forearm immersion provides no additional benefit.     

The effects of face cooling during hyperthermic exercise in man: evidence for an integrated thermal, neuroendocrine and behavioural response

The present study investigated whether face cooling reduced both the perceived exertion (RPE) and prolactin (PRL) release during hyperthermic exercise. Ten, non-heat-acclimated males (23 +/- 2 years; maximal oxygen consumption, 56 +/- 7 ml kg(-1) min(-1) [mean +/- s.d.]) exercised for 40 min on a cycle ergometer at 65% of their peak aerobic power, at an ambient temperature of 33 degrees C (27% relative humidity) with (FC) and without face cooling as a control (CON). With FC, forehead temperature was maintained approximately 6 degrees C lower than CON, while other skin sites were similar or slightly warmer in the FC condition. Rectal temperature increased by approximately 1.5 degrees C with the same time course in both conditions. A relative bradycardia was observed during FC, with heart rate approximately 5 beats min(-1) lower than CON (P < 0.05). Mean plasma lactate was lower during FC (FC, 5.0 +/- 0.3 mmol l(-1); CON, 5.9 +/- 0.3 mmol l(-1); P < 0.05) but no differences were observed for plasma glucose, which remained constant during exercise. Levels of PRL were maintained at 175 +/- 17 mIU l(-1) during exercise for FC, while values for CON increased to a peak of 373 +/- 22 mIU l(-1) so that towards the end of the exercise, for the same rectal temperature, PRL was significantly lower in the FC condition (P < 0.05). Global and breathing RPE were reduced but only towards the end of the 40 min of exercise during FC, whilst subjective thermal comfort was significantly lower during FC (P < 0.05). We confirm the substantial effect that FC has on the secretion of PRL during hyperthermic exercise but show that it makes a relatively small contribution to the perception of effort when compared to the effect of a cool total skin area as occurs with exercise in a thermoneutral environment.