PHYSIOLOGICAL CRITERIA FOR FUNCTIONING OF HANDS IN THE COLD - A REVIEW

Hands are important instruments in daily life. Without hands man is ha rdly able to function independently. Proper functioning of the hands i s determined by several physiological parameters. These physiological parameters in turn are influenced by environmental factors. In this vi ew of the literature, physiological processes in manual dexterity are described and the influence of a cold environment on separate physiolo gical proceses is studied. In general, cold means loss of dexterity. F or reasons of safety and performance, it is important to restrict the loss of manual dexterity. For this purpose, in this study minimum crit eria are given for all separate physiological components. Most importa nt minimum criteria are: a local skin temperature of 15-degrees-C, a n erve temperature of 20-degrees-C and a muscle temperature of 28-degree s-C. Ony during maximum dynamic work is a muscle temperature of 38-deg rees-C recommended. These temperatures are average values, and of cour se individual differences are evident.