Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Perceptual Responses to Multiple Bouts of Acute Cold Exposure Recovery

Abstract

While the physiological responses to acute cold exposure (ACE) have been examined, little research has been conducted evaluating the recovery (ACE-REC) from ACE during the presence of an additional stressor such as sleep deprivation (SDEP). Further, multiple bouts of ACE over 53 hours of sleep deprivation may elicit a differential response in thermal sensation as compared to a single bout of ACE. Currently limited research exists that has examined the perceptual responses during re-warming following multiple bouts of ACE-REC during SDEP. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of 53 hours of SDEP on the perceptual responses during ACE-REC from three consecutive bouts of ACE. METHODS: Eight healthy, Caucasian males (22.8 ± 1.7 y) completed a control (CON) trial during a normal night's sleep and an experimental trial during 53 hours of SDEP in which they were exposed to cold air (10°C) for 120-min, once per day, for 3 consecutive days (ACE-REC stage 1, 2, 3) followed by 120-min of ACE-REC 25°C air. During ACE-REC, thermal sensation (TS), and modified thermal sensation (MTS) were examined at baseline (BASE), 5-min, 15-min and every 15-min thereafter for the duration of the ACE-REC. RESULTS: Condition by time repeated measures ANOVAs demonstrated a main effect for time (p< 0.001) TS and MTS for all stages of ACE-REC. MTS decreased across time while TS increased across time. CONCLUSION: Based on these data participants sensed and scaled a decreased perception of cold. The presence of SDEP or multiple bouts of ACE may have altered the perception of the participants and their ability to scale thermal sensation. The response demonstrated by both thermal sensation scales may be attributed to fatigue or a mismatch between sensory and physiological responses based on previous data whereby rectal temperature decreased across time while skin temperature increased across time. While the Gagge and Modified Gagge thermal sensation scales are a valid method of assessment during ACE, further investigation is warranted in the area of thermal sensation and perception of cold during ACE-REC during SDEP.