Thirty male and twenty-six female Caucasians were tested at work levels of 1.0 liters O2 consumption in 90 F wet-bulb temperature, 93 F dry-bulb temperature, and 80 ft/min air velocity for comparative heat reactions in the unacclimatized state. The females had more severe physiological and psychological reactions. Rectal temperatures of 104 F and heart rates of 180 beat/min were reached more rapidly than in the male. The females sweated less and their oxygen consumptions were lower than those of the males. Ten males and four females were then acclimatized to the same extent at the same work rate in 93 F wet-bulb temperature. At the end of the period their reactions were closely similar, although the females responded slower to the acclimatization procedure. Both groups ended with heart rates of 140 beat/min and rectal temperatures of 102 F. The females, however, continued to sweat less. In a retest at 90 F wet-bulb temperature, both groups had heart rates of 130–140 beat/min and rectal temperatures of 101 F. Females still sweated less. The results demonstrate the fact that females react more severely on exposure to severe heat and work conditions. Once acclimatized, however, the temperature and circulatory reactions of both sexes are closely similar, but the females sweat less than males. acclimatization of Caucasians to heat; Caucasians—acclimatization to heat; sex differences—heat reactions; physiological reactions to heat Submitted on September 14, 1964
Oxygen consumptions were measured at various levels of work up to the individual's maximum. At submaximal work they were significantly lower in heat than in comfortable temperatures, but maximum oxygen intakes were not significantly different. In comfortable conditions cardiac output and A-V difference both contributed to rise in oxygen intake during submaximal work. At maximal effort increase in arteriovenous difference accounted for the ultimate rise in oxygen intake. Both heart rate and stroke volume contributed to increase in cardiac output up to 1.0 liters/min oxygen intake; above this heart rate was the sole factor. In heat the major change in hemodynamics was an increase in heart rate with an associated fall in stroke volume. Neither cardiac output nor arteriovenous difference was significantly altered from comfortable conditions. “Excess” lactate occurred at significantly lower levels of work in heat than in comfortable conditions. Working muscles were therefore relatively more anoxic in heat at submaximal work, and this accounted for lower oxygen intakes. At maximal work the degree of anoxia was the same in both temperature conditions. Submitted on August 22, 1961
Heat reactions of 20 Caucasian and 22 Bantu males were compared, first in the unacclimatized state and then in the acclimatized state. The study was conducted at temperatures of 90 F wet-bulb and 93 F dry-bulb at a work rate of 1 liter O2/min consumption. The performances of the unacclimatized Bantu were superior to those of the Caucasians. All 22 Bantu completed the 4-hr experiment, while 10 Caucasians failed. The mean rectal temperature of the Bantu was significantly lower than that of the Caucasians, but not the mean heart rate and mean sweat rate. When both groups were highly acclimatized all men from both groups completed the 4-hr experiment, and their reactions to heat were significantly different from their reactions in the unacclimatized state. Sweat rates, particularly, increased very much. The differences between the two highly acclimatized groups in rectal temperatures, heart rates, and sweat rates (except the 4th hr) were not significant. Although superior in the unacclimatized state, the Bantu does not appear to have an inherent advantage in the ability to regulate the body temperature. Caucasians versus Bantu in reactions to heat; physiological reactions in exposure to heat Submitted on August 19, 1963
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