EFFECT OF LOCAL COOLING ON SKIN TEMPERATURE AND BLOOD-FLOW OF MEN IN ANTARCTICA

Alterations to the finger skin temperature (Tsk) and blood flow (FBF) before and after cold immersion on exposure to an Antarctic environmen t for 8 weeks were studied in 64 subjects. There was a significant fal l in Tsk and increase in finger blood now after 1 week of Antarctic ex posure. The Tsk did not further change even after 8 weeks of stay in A ntarctica but a significant increase in FBF was obtained after 8 weeks . The cold immersion test was performed at non-Antarctic and Antarctic conditions by immersing the hand for 2 min in 0-4 degrees C cold wate r. In the non-Antarctic environment the Tsk and FBF dropped significan tly (P < 0.001) indicating a vasoconstriction response. Interestingly after 8 weeks of stay in Antarctic conditions, the skin temperature dr opped (P < 0.001) but the cold induced fall in FBF was inhibited. Base d on these observations it may be hypothesized that continuous cold ex posure in Antarctica results in vasodilatation, which overrides the st ronger vasoactive response of acute cold exposure and thus prevents co ld injuries.