Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The relation between cold perception (i.e., an individual's ability to sense and scale thermal discomfort) and cold water immersion (CWI) is an area that has considerable practical application to individuals who may be exposed to environmental extremes at work as well as individuals who participate in recreational activities in a wilderness setting. Furthermore, it is well known that body composition plays a role in the regulation of heat exchange and therefore, it is likely that percent fat may subsequently alter thermal sensation (TS). PURPOSE: The goal of the present investigation was to determine if there would be a differential response in TS between low fat (LF: 10.1± 1.4%) vs. high fat (HF: 28.1±3.5%) subjects during immersion in 18, 22 and 26°C water for up to 120 min. METHODS: Six LF males (22.2± 2.0 y) and 5 HF males (23.2± 3.8 y) underwent 3 separate trials during which they were immersed to the first thoracic vertebrae in 18, 22 and 26°C water for up to 120 min (or until rectal temperature < 35°C). The Gagge Thermal Sensation Scale (1967) and the Modified Thermal Sensation Scale (1994) were employed to determine thermal perception during CWI. RESULTS: For both scales, group (LF, HF) x time, repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant interaction at the 18°C temperature (Gagge, p = 0.049; Modified Gagge p= 0.012) the 22°C temperature (Gagge, p = 0.017; Modified Gagge, p = 0.036), and the 26°C temperature (Modified Gagge, p = 0.018) as LF thermal sensation scores increased at a greater rate than HF subjects. There was a significant main effect for time as thermal sensation scores from both scales increased at all three temperatures (p ≤ 0.001 for all). CONCLUSION: These data illustrate a differential response in thermal perception between LF and HF males across time. This suggests that greater levels of body fat reduced feelings of cold discomfort as immersion time increased during the 18 and 22°C trials.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
