Rapid habituation of the cold shock response

Stephen Howden,Thomas Nash,Clare M Eglin,Joseph Costello,George Butt

doi:10.1186/2046-7648-4-s1-a38

Stephen Howden, Thomas Nash + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/2046-7648-4-s1-a38

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Journal: Extreme Physiology & Medicine	Publication Date: Sep 14, 2015
Citations: 5	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: University of Portsmouth

Abstract

Sudden immersion into cold water initiates a series of cardio-respiratory responses collectively known as the cold shock response (CSR) which may increase an individual's risk of drowning. The CSR is stimulated by a rapid fall in skin temperature and includes tachycardia, a reflex inspiratory gasp followed by uncontrollable hyperventilation. Repeated cold water immersions conducted over several days have been shown to reduce the magnitude of the CSR [1]. This study investigated whether an habituation could be achieved in a couple of hours; it was hypothesised that following this rapid habituation the CSR would be reduced on a subsequent cold water immersion.

Highlights

Sudden immersion into cold water initiates a series of cardio-respiratory responses collectively known as the cold shock response (CSR) which may increase an individual’s risk of drowning
Results fC was reduced throughout IMM7 compared to IMM1 (0-30 s: 117[21] v 106[14] bpm; 30-60 s: 110[21] v 86[19] bpm; 60-300 s: 90[18] v 78[17] bpm; all P < 0.05)
VI was attenuated in IMM7 compared to IMM1 over the first minute of immersion (0-30 s: 61.3[7.5] v 52.5[12.1] L. min-1; 30-60s: 50.8[13.5] v 40.5[13.6] L.min-1; P < 0.05) whereas fR was only reduced in the first 30 s from 37(11) to 29(9) breaths.min-1 (P < 0.05)

Summary

Introduction

Sudden immersion into cold water initiates a series of cardio-respiratory responses collectively known as the cold shock response (CSR) which may increase an individual’s risk of drowning. The CSR is stimulated by a rapid fall in skin temperature and includes tachycardia, a reflex inspiratory gasp followed by uncontrollable hyperventilation. Repeated cold water immersions conducted over several days have been shown to reduce the magnitude of the CSR [1]. This study investigated whether an habituation could be achieved in a couple of hours; it was hypothesised that following this rapid habituation the CSR would be reduced on a subsequent cold water immersion

Methods

Results

Conclusion