Comparison of physical characteristics,body temperature and resting metabolic rate at 30‡C between subtropical and temperate natives

Anthropometric measurements, measurements of skin temperatures, rectal temperature, heart rate and metabolic rate at 30C were made on 25 young male residents of Okinawa who were born and raised in Okinawa (group O) and 25 young male residents of Okinawa who were born and raised on the Japan mainland but moved to Okinawa less than 2 years before the test (group M) in summer. Group O showed significantly shorter height, lighter body weight, and slender body shape than group M. Group O showed thinner skinfold thickness and smaller percentage of body fat content than group M. Skin temperatures for group O were higher than those for group M, and rectal temperature for group O was slightly lower than that for group M. Group O showed, less metabolic rate per body surface area and slower heart rate than group M. It is concluded that physical characteristics of subtropical natives is favorable for heat dissipation, and subtropical natives have superior capacity for non-evaporative heat dissipation than migrants of temperate natives to a subtropical zone.     

A comparative study on sweating pattern and heat tolerance. A field study on residents of Okinawa in summer

We proposed a numerical index for evaluating human heat tolerance which is practically useful. The adaptive changes in heat tolerance of unacclimatized subjects during short-term heat acclimatization could be evaluated by this index. The present investigation was performed to examine whether or not our index can reflect effects on heat tolerance of a long-term acclimatization as seen in subtropical natives. Nineteen young male residents born and raised in Okinawa (subtropical zone), 18 male residents born in the Japan Main Islands (temperate zone) but moved to Okinawa and 25 male students in Kyoto (temperate zone) were chosen to be subjects. Their age were from 19 to 29 years. Sweating reaction was examined for 60 min in summer, by immersing legs in stirring water of 42°C by using a mobile climatic chamber of 30°C with 70 RH. Local sweat samples from the chest and back were collected at 15 min interval by the filter paper method. Sweating reaction of the residents born and raised in Okinawa was characterized by smaller volume of sweating and lower salt concentration in sweat, while the rise in rectal temperature and increase in heart rate differ less between the three groups. It is concluded that residents born and raised in Okinawa showed higher heat tolerance than the other two groups when assessed by our factorial index method.     

Studies on heat tolerance of subtropical natives after migration to a temperate zone

Anthropometric measurements and observations of physiological responses to heat were made in the autumn on 20 young male Japanese who were born and reared in the main islands of Japan (group M), 20 young male Japanese who were born and reared in Okinawa, subtropical zone, and who have lived in the main islands of Japan, temperate zone, for less than three years (group O). In winter the same tests were made on 25 subjects in group M and 17 subjects in group O. Group O showed lower skinfold thickness and less body fat content than group M. Both groups showed lower skinfold thickness and less body fat content in autumn than in winter. Group O was characterized by lower sweat rate and lower Na concentration in sweat for a given rise in body temperature. In both groups, greater sweat loss, lower Na concentration in sweat and smaller rise in body temperature were observed in autumn than in winter. Group O showed higher heat tolerance than group M when assessed by our numerical index for the assessment of heat tolerance. It was assumed that capacity of non-evaporative heat dissipatïon for group O was superior to that for group M, and the efficiency of sweat for cooling body in group O was better than that in group M. Differences in anthropometrical characteristics and physiological responses to heat between the two groups might reflect more advanced heat acclimatization of subjects in group O when compared with those in group M.     

Effect of long term residence in the temperate zone on the physique and sweating reaction of subtropical natives

Anthropometric measurements and observations of physiological responses to heat were made in the summer on 20 young male residents of the Japan mainland who were born in Okinawa but moved to the mainland within less than three years (group S) and 15 young male migrants of Japanese from Okinawa who had lived in the Japan mainland for more than 10 years (group L). Group L showed a thicker skinfold and greater body fat content than group S. Group L showed a greater sweat loss and higher rise in oral temperature than group S. Heat tolerance of group L was inferior to that of group S when assessed by our numerical index for evaluating human heat tolerance. The inferior heat tolerance of group L might reflect a lower efficiency of sweat for cooling the body and an inferior capacity for non-evaporative heat dissipation when compared with group S. The physiological responses of subtropical natives to heat were lost after longterm residence in the temperate zone.     

Thermoregulatory responses to heat and exercise in Japanese and Caucasians

Responses to heat and exercise were studied in 9 male Japanese subjects who walked on a treadmill at a speed of 4.4 – 4.8 km/h at 0 grade for 2 hours in a climatic chamber in July 1973, in Nagoya Japan. The results were compared with those obtained in a similar study made in July 1966 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The following results were obtained: (1) Japanese showed a 1.8 times higher rate of sweating than Caucasians. Total sweat from the whole body during 2 hours walk was also higher in Japanese. (2) Japanese exhibited lower chloride concentration in local sweat than Caucasians in spite of their higher dietary salt intake, higher serum chloride concentration and higher rate of sweating. While in Caucasians the sweat chloride concentration showed a tendency to continue to rise during the later period of the walk in spite of decreasing sweat rate after sweat suppression occurred, in Japanese it tended to fall in parallel with the sweat rate. No difference was observed in the length of the latent time of sweat suppression. (3) There were no differences in rectal temperature or heart rate, both at the period of equilibrium rectal temperature and at the end of the walk. (4) Mean skin temperature during the walk was significantly higher in Japanese than in Caucasians. It was concluded that the Japanese group was better heat acclimatized than Caucasians, though the two groups were considered to have been naturally heat exposed by season to the same extent.     

Effects of duration of stay in temperate area on thermoregulatory responses to passive heat exposure in tropical south-east Asian males residing in Japan

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: In this study, we investigated the effects of duration of stay in a temperate area on the thermoregulatory responses to passive heat exposure of residents from tropical areas, particularly to clarify whether they would lose their heat tolerance during passive heat exposure through residence in a temperate country, Japan. METHODS: We enrolled 12 males (mean +/- SE age 25.7 +/- 1.3 years) from south-east Asian countries who had resided in Japan for a mean of 24.5 +/- 5.04 months, and 12 Japanese males (age 24.1 +/- 0.9 years) . All subjects were university students who did not engage in vigorous physical or sport activities and were considered to have similar physical activity levels. Passive heat exposure was induced through leg immersion in hot water (42 [degree sign]C) for 60 minutes under conditions of 28 [degree sign]C air temperature and 50% relative humidity. RESULTS: Compared with the Japanese group, the tropical group displayed a higher pre-exposure rectal temperature (P < 0.01) and a smaller increase in rectal temperature during 60 minutes of leg immersion (P = 0.03). Additionally, the tropical group showed a tendency towards a lower total sweat rate (P = 0.06) and lower local sweat rate on the forehead (P = 0.07). The tropical group also had a significantly longer sweating onset time on the upper back (P = 0.04) compared with the Japanese groups. The tropical group who stayed in Japan for > 23 months sweated earlier on the forehead and upper back than those who stayed in Japan < 11 months (P < 0.01 and P = 0.03 for the forehead and upper back, respectively). There was a positive correlation between duration of stay in Japan and total sweat rate (r = 0.58, P <0.05), and negative correlations between duration of stay and sweating onset time on the forehead (r = -0.73, P = 0.01) and on the upper back (r = -0.66, P = 0.02). Other physiological indices measured in this study did not show any difference between the subjects in the tropical group who had lived in Japan for a shorter time and those who had lived there for a longer time. There were also no significant relationships between duration of stay and other physiological responses during 60 minutes of leg immersion (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the nature of heat acclimatization of the sweating responses to passive heat exposure that are acquired from long-term heat acclimatization is decayed by a stay in a temperate area, as shown by the subjects in our tropical group. We did not find any evidence of a decay in the other physiological indices, indicating that heat tolerance acquired from long-term heat acclimatization is not completely diminished through residence in a temperate area for less than 4 years, although some aspects of this heat tolerance may be decayed.     

Comparison of thermoregulatory responses to heat between Malaysian and Japanese males during leg immersion

The objective of this study was to investigate thermoregulatory responses to heat in tropical (Malaysian) and temperate (Japanese) natives, during 60 min of passive heating. Ten Japanese (mean ages: 20.8 ± 0.9 years) and ten Malaysian males (mean ages: 22.3 ± 1.6 years) with matched morphological characteristics and physical fitness participated in this study. Passive heating was induced through leg immersion in hot water (42°C) for 60 min under conditions of 28°C air temperature and 50% RH. Local sweat rate on the forehead and thigh were significantly lower in Malaysians during leg immersion, but no significant differences in total sweat rate were observed between Malaysians (86.3 ± 11.8 g m⁻² h⁻¹) and Japanese (83.2 ± 6.4  g m⁻² h⁻¹) after leg immersion. In addition, Malaysians displayed a smaller rise in rectal temperature (0.3 ± 0.1°C) than Japanese (0.7 ± 0.1°C) during leg immersion, with a greater increase in hand skin temperature. Skin blood flow was significantly lower on the forehead and forearm in Malaysians during leg immersion. No significant different in mean skin temperature during leg immersion was observed between the two groups. These findings indicated that regional differences in body sweating distribution might exist between Malaysians and Japanese during heat exposure, with more uniform distribution of local sweat rate over the whole body among tropical Malaysians. Altogether, Malaysians appear to display enhanced efficiency of thermal sweating and thermoregulatory responses in dissipating heat loss during heat loading. Thermoregulatory differences between tropical and temperate natives in this study can be interpreted as a result of heat adaptations to physiological function.     

High-sweat Na+ in cystic fibrosis and healthy individuals does not diminish thirst during exercise in the heat

Sweat Na(+) concentration ([Na(+)]) varies greatly among individuals and is particularly high in cystic fibrosis (CF). The purpose of this study was to determine whether excess sweat [Na(+)] differentially impacts thirst drive and other physiological responses during progressive dehydration via exercise in the heat. Healthy subjects with high-sweat [Na(+)] (SS) (91.0 ± 17.3 mmol/l), Controls with average sweat [Na(+)] (43.7 ± 9.9 mmol/l), and physically active CF patients with very high sweat [Na(+)] (132.6 ± 6.4 mmol/l) cycled in the heat without drinking until 3% dehydration. Serum osmolality increased less (P < 0.05) in CF (6.1 ± 4.3 mosmol/kgH(2)O) and SS (8.4 ± 3.0 mosmol/kgH(2)O) compared with Control (14.8 ± 3.5 mosmol/kgH(2)O). Relative change in plasma volume was greater (P < 0.05) in CF (-19.3 ± 4.5%) and SS (-18.8 ± 3.1%) compared with Control (-14.3 ± 2.3%). Thirst during exercise and changes in plasma levels of vasopressin, angiotensin II, and aldosterone relative to percent dehydration were not different among groups. However, ad libitum fluid replacement was 40% less, and serum NaCl concentration was lower for CF compared with SS and Control during recovery. Despite large variability in sweat electrolyte loss, thirst appears to be appropriately maintained during exercise in the heat as a linear function of dehydration, with relative contributions from hyperosmotic and hypovolemic stimuli dependent upon the magnitude of salt lost in sweat. CF exhibit lower ad libitum fluid restoration following dehydration, which may reflect physiological cues directed at preservation of salt balance over volume restoration.     

Effects of exercise in the heat on thermoregulation of Japanese and Malaysian males

The effect of low-intensity exercise in the heat on thermoregulation and certain biochemical changes in temperate and tropical subjects under poorly and well-hydrated states was examined. Two VO2max matched groups of subjects consisting of 8 Japanese (JS) and 8 Malaysians (MS) participated in this study under two conditions: poorly-hydrated (no water was given) and well-hydrated (3 mL x Kg(-1) body weight of water was provided at onset of exercise, and the 15th, 35th and 55th min of exercise). The experimental room in both countries was adjusted to a constant level (Ta: 31.6+/-0.03 degrees C, rh: 72.3+/-0.13%). Subjects spent an initial 10 min rest, 60 min of cycling at 40% VO2max and then 40 min recovery in the experimental room. Rectal temperatures (Tre) skin temperatures (Tsk), heart rate (HR), heat-activated sweat glands density (HASG), local sweat rate (M sw-back) and percent dehydration were recorded during the test. Blood samples were analysed for plasma glucose and lactate levels.The extent of dehydration was significantly higher in the combined groups of JS (1.43+/-0.08%) compared to MS (1.15+/-0.05%). During exercise M sw-back was significantly higher in JS compared to MS in the well-hydrated condition. The HASG was significantly more in JS compared to MS at rest and recovery. Tre was higher in MS during the test. Tsk was significantly higher starting at the 5th min of exercise until the end of the recovery period in MS compared to JS.In conclusion, tropical natives have lower M sw-back associated with higher Tsk and Tre during the rest, exercise and recovery periods. However, temperate natives have higher M sw-back and lower Tsk and Tre during experiments in a hot environment. This phenomenon occurs in both poorly-hydrated and well-hydrated states with low intensity exercise. The differences in M sw-back, Tsk and Tre are probably due to a setting of the core temperature at a higher level and enhancement of dry heat loss, which occurred during passive heat exposure.     

Plasma aldosterone and sweat sodium concentrations after exercise and heat acclimation

This investigation was designed to determine the relationship between the levels of plasma aldosterone and eccrine sweat gland sodium excretion following exercise and heat acclimation. Ten subjects exercised at 45% of their maximal O2 uptake in a hot (40 degrees C), moderately humid (45% relative humidity) environment for 2 h/day on ten consecutive days. Acclimation was verified by significant reductions in exercise heart rate, rectal temperature, and heat storage, as well as significant elevation of resting plasma volume (12%, P less than 0.05) and exercise sweat rate on day 10 compared with day 1 of acclimation. During exercise, the concentration and total content of sodium in sweat as well as plasma aldosterone were significantly decreased from day 1 to day 10. The ratio of sweat sodium reabsorbed to plasma aldosterone concentration was significantly increased from day 1 to day 10 after both 1 and 2 h of exercise. These data indicate that plasma aldosterone concentrations decrease following heat acclimation; and eccrine gland responsiveness to aldosterone, as represented by sweat sodium reabsorption, may be augumented through exercise and heat acclimation.     

Cold-induced vasodilation and vasoconstriction in the finger of tropical and temperate indigenes

While heat acclimatization reflects the development of heat tolerance, it may weaken an ability to tolerate cold. The purpose of this study was to explore cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD) responses in the finger of tropical indigenes during finger cold immersion, along with temperate indigenes. Thirteen tropical male indigenes (subjects born and raised in the tropics) and 11 temperate male indigenes (subjects born and raised in Japan and China) participated. Subjects immersed their middle finger at 4.3±0.8 °C water for 30 min. Rectal temperature, skin temperatures, finger skin blood flow, blood pressure and subjective sensations were recorded during the test. The results showed that: (1) the tropical group demonstrated a lower minimum (T_min), maximum (T_max) and mean finger temperature (T_mean) compared to those of the temperate group (P<0.05); (2) seven tropical indigenes demonstrated a late-plateau type of CIVD pattern, which is characterized by a pronounced 1st vasoconstriction and a single CIVD with a faint and weak 2nd vasoconstriction, whereas no temperate indigene demonstrated the late-plateau type; and (3) the hand temperature at the end of finger immersion was 3 °C lower in the tropical than the temperate group (P<0.05). These results indicate that tropical indigenes have less active responses of arterio-venous anastomoses in the finger and weaker vasoconstrictions after the first CIVD response during finger cold immersion, which can be considered as being more vulnerable to cold injury of the periphery in severe cold.     

Methylcholine-activated eccrine sweat gland density and output as a function of age

The purpose of this investigation was to examine eccrine sweat gland responsiveness to intradermal injections of methylcholine (MCh) across three age groups of men [young (Y) = 22-24; middle (M) = 33-40; older (O) = 58-67 yr old, n = 5 per group]. Subjects were matched with respect to maximum O2 consumption, body size, and body composition, and were thoroughly heat acclimated before participation. Randomly ordered concentrations of acetyl-beta-methylcholine chloride ranging from 0% (saline) to 0.1% (5 x 10(-3) M) were injected into the skin of the dorsal thigh in a thermoneutral environment, and activated sweat glands were photographed at 30-s intervals for the next 8 min. Density of MCh-activated glands was independent of both age and [MCh] (e.g., 2 min after injection of 5 x 10(-3) M [MCh]: Y = 45 +/- 7, M = 46 +/- 12, O = 42 +/- 5 glands/cm2). However, sweat gland output (SGO) per active gland was significantly lower for the O group and failed to increase with increasing [MCh] above 5 x 10(-4) M. When MCh (5 x 10(-3) M) was injected after 1 h of exercise in the heat, higher SGO's were elicited in each group; however, the SGO of the O group was again significantly lower than that of the Y group (91 +/- 11 vs. 39 +/- 4 ng/gland, P less than 0.02) with the M group intermediate (69 +/- 11 nl/gland; 2 min postinjection data).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Relationship of osmotic inhibition in thermoregulatory responses and sweat sodium concentration in humans

Heat acclimatization improves thermoregulatory responses to heat stress and decreases sweat sodium concentration ([Na(+)](sweat)). The reduced [Na(+)](sweat) results in a larger increase in plasma osmolality (P(osmol)) at a given amount of sweat output. The increase in P(osmol) inhibits thermoregulatory responses to increased body core temperature. Therefore, we hypothesized that the inhibitory effect of plasma hyperosmolality on the thermoregulatory responses to heat stress should be attenuated with the reduction of [Na(+)](sweat) due to heat acclimatization. Eleven subjects (9 male and 2 female) were passively heated by immersing their lower legs into water at 42 degrees C (room temperature 28 degrees C and relative humidity 30%) for 50 min following isotonic or hypertonic saline infusion. We determined the increase in the esophageal temperature (T(es)) required to elicit sweating and cutaneous vasodilation (CVD) (DeltaT(es) thresholds for sweating and CVD, respectively) in each condition and calculated the elevation of the T(es) thresholds per unit increase in P(osmol) as the osmotic inhibition of sweating and CVD. The osmotic shift in the DeltaT(es) thresholds for both sweating and CVD correlated linearly with [Na(+)](sweat) (r = 0.858 and r = 0.628, respectively). Thus subjects with a lower [Na(+)](sweat) showed a smaller osmotic elevation of the DeltaT(es) thresholds for sweating and CVD. These results suggest the possibility that heat acclimatization attenuates osmotic inhibition of thermoregulatory responses as well as reducing [Na(+)](sweat).     

Influence of training on sweating responses during submaximal exercise in horses.

Sweating responses were examined in five horses during a standardized exercise test (SET) in hot conditions (32-34 degrees C, 45-55% relative humidity) during 8 wk of exercise training (5 days/wk) in moderate conditions (19-21 degrees C, 45-55% relative humidity). SETs consisting of 7 km at 50% maximal O(2) consumption, determined 1 wk before training day (TD) 0, were completed on a treadmill set at a 6 degrees incline on TD0, 14, 28, 42, and 56. Mean maximal O(2) consumption, measured 2 days before each SET, increased 19% [TD0 to 42: 135 +/- 5 (SE) to 161 +/- 4 ml. kg(-1). min(-1)]. Peak sweating rate (SR) during exercise increased on TD14, 28, 42, and 56 compared with TD0, whereas SRs and sweat losses in recovery decreased by TD28. By TD56, end-exercise rectal and pulmonary artery temperature decreased by 0.9 +/- 0.1 and 1.2 +/- 0.1 degrees C, respectively, and mean change in body mass during the SET decreased by 23% (TD0: 10.1 +/- 0.9; TD56: 7.7 +/- 0.3 kg). Sweat Na(+) concentration during exercise decreased, whereas sweat K(+) concentration increased, and values for Cl(-) concentration in sweat were unchanged. Moderate-intensity training in cool conditions resulted in a 1.6-fold increase in sweating sensitivity evident by 4 wk and a 0.7 +/- 0.1 degrees C decrease in sweating threshold after 8 wk during exercise in hot, dry conditions. Altered sweating responses contributed to improved heat dissipation during exercise and a lower end-exercise core temperature. Despite higher SRs for a given core temperature during exercise, decreases in recovery SRs result in an overall reduction in sweat fluid losses but no change in total sweat ion losses after training.     

Respiratory enthalpy changes in mine rescue workers exercising under heat stress

Respiratory enthalpy change, rectal temperature, and heart rate of mine rescue workers exercising at a metabolic energy production rate of 4 met (1 met-58.15 W.m-2) in a 40 degrees C saturated environment, wearing closed-circuit breathing apparatus, were continuously measured in 10 volunteer subjects. The effects of using liquid O2 and compressed O2 apparatus were compared in each subject. Evaporative heat exchange was much greater with the liquid O2 type of apparatus, causing a significantly lower rate of rise of rectal temperature and heart rate. Convective heat exchange was negligible. Mean values for evaporative heat loss (maximum) were 61 +/- 16 (SD) W with liquid O2 and 20 +/- 18 W with compressed O2 (P less than 0.0001, 2-sided t test). Mean values for rectal temperature (rate of increase) were 0.022 +/- 0.009 (SD) degrees C.min-1 for liquid O2 and 0.036 +/- 0.015 degrees C.min-1 for compressed O2 (P less than 0.005, 2-sided paired t test). Mean values for heart rate (rate of increase) were 2.64 +/- 0.74 (SD) min-2 for liquid O2 and 3.27 +/- 0.89 min-2 for compressed O2 (P less than 0.02, 2-sided paired t test). This study quantifies, for the first time, the respiratory enthalpy change in exercising heat-stressed mine rescue workers and shows, from a physiological point of view, that the liquid O2 apparatus is clearly superior to the compressed O2 apparatus.     

Effect of cerebrospinal fluid hyperosmolality on sweating in the heat-stressed patas monkey

Dehydration increases the osmolality of body fluids and decreases the rate of sweating during thermal stress. By localizing osmotic stimuli to central nervous system tissues, this study assessed the role of central stimulation on sweating in a heat-stressed nonhuman primate. Lenperone-tranquilized patas monkeys (Erythrocebus patas n = 5), exposed to 41 +/- 2 degrees C, were monitored for calf sweat rate, rectal and mean skin temperatures, oxygen consumption, and heart rate during infusions (255-413 microliters) of hypertonic artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) into the third cerebral ventricle. ACSF made hypertonic with NaCl to yield osmolalities of 800 and 1,000 mosmol/kgH2O significantly decreased sweat rate compared with control ACSF (285 mosmol/kgH2O), achieving maximal reductions during infusion of 37 and 53%, respectively. Rectal temperature significantly increased during the recovery period, reaching elevations of 0.69 and 0.72 degrees C, respectively, at 20 min postinfusion. In contrast, ACSF made hypertonic with sucrose (800 mosmol/kgH2O) failed to change sweat rate or rectal temperature during infusion in three animals. Thus, intracerebroventricular infusions of hypertonic ACSF mimicked dehydration-induced effects on thermoregulation. The reduction in heat loss during infusion appeared to depend on an elevation in cerebrospinal fluid [Na+] and not osmolality per se.     

Responses of native and migrant desert residents to arid heat

Four groups of Sonoran Desert residents were compared in three studies of heat tolerance. In the first two studies the task involved walking in arid heat at a moderate rate (5 km/hour) for two hours per day over a period of seven consecutive days. The first study compared seven Yaqui Indians with ten Mestizos, all lifelong residents of the same neighborhood in Hermosillo, Sonora. The groups showed no significant differences in physiological responses. The second study compared five Papago Indian students with five White students from Tucson, Arizona. The Papago showed significantly lower sweat rates and significantly lower rectal temperatures. None of the groups showed sequential changes which could be called acclimatization. The lower sweat rate of the Papago is partially the result of their smaller size, but their lower rectal temperatures may represent a more effective heat dissipating mechanism. The third study compared naturally acclimatized Yaquis and Mestizos in hot, humid conditions established by other investigators. These well acclimatized subjects responded in a manner intermediate between the unacclimatized and artificially acclimatized Caucasians reported in the literature. Thus desert acclimatization does not confer maximal acclimatization to humid heat.     

Tropical Malaysians and temperate Koreans exhibit significant differences in sweating sensitivity in response to iontophoretically administered acetylcholine

Natives of the tropics are able to tolerate high ambient temperatures. This results from their long-term residence in hot and often humid tropical climates. This study was designed to compare the peripheral mechanisms of thermal sweating in tropical natives with that of their temperate counterparts. Fifty-five healthy male subjects including 20 native Koreans who live in the temperate Korean climate (Temperate-N) and 35 native tropical Malaysian men that have lived all of their lives in Malaysia (Tropical-N) were enrolled in this study after providing written informed consent to participate. Quantitative sudomotor axon reflex testing after iontophoresis (2 mA for 5 min) with 10% acetylcholine (ACh) was used to determine directly activated (DIR) and axon reflex-mediated (AXR) sweating during ACh iontophoresis. The sweat rate, activated sweat gland density, sweat gland output per single gland activated, and oral and skin temperature changes were measured. The sweat onset time of AXR (nicotinic-receptor-mediated) was 56 s shorter in the Temperate-N than in the Tropical-N subjects (P < 0.0001). The nicotinic-receptor-mediated sweating activity AXR (1), and the muscarinic-receptor-mediated sweating activity DIR, in terms of sweat volume, were 103% and 59% higher in the Temperate-N compared to the Tropical-N subjects (P < 0.0001). The Temperate-N group also had a 17.8% (P < 0.0001) higher active sweat gland density, 35.4% higher sweat output per gland, 0.24°C higher resting oral temperature, and 0.62°C higher resting forearm skin temperature compared to the Tropical-N subjects (P < 0.01). ACh iontophoresis did not influence oral temperature, but increased skin temperature near where the ACh was administered, in both groups. These results suggest that suppressed thermal sweating in the Tropical-N subjects was, at least in part, due to suppressed sweat gland sensitivity to ACh through both recruitment of active sweat glands and the sweat gland output per each gland. This physiological trait guarantees a more economical use of body fluids, thus ensuring more efficient protection against heat stress.     

Sweat lactate secretion during exercise in relation to women's aerobic capacity

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether sweat lactate secretion during exercise [approximately 70% maximum O2 consumption (VO2max), 60 min] differed in active vs. sedentary female subjects. Sweat rate, total sweat lactate secretion, and sweat lactate concentration were monitored in a group of sedentary (VO2max = 41.0 +/- 1.62 ml X kg-1 X min-1) and active (VO2max = 51.2 +/- 3.20 ml X kg-1 X min-1) women. Sweat rate was significantly (P less than 0.05) greater in the active subjects. There was a significant difference between groups in total amount of sweat lactate secreted (P less than 0.05), with the active group secreting less lactate (29.8 +/- 5.03 mmol, mean +/- SE) than the sedentary group (50.2 +/- 6.61 mmol). Concomitant with the lower total sweat lactate secretion in the active subjects was a significantly (P less than 0.05) more dilute sweat lactate concentration (42.6 +/- 14.08 vs. 100.4 +/- 32.37 mM). In these female subjects, sweat lactate concentration was inversely correlated (r = -0.79, P less than 0.01, n = 10) to sweat rate. It is concluded that total sweat lactate loss is significantly less in active than in sedentary women and that the active subjects secrete a greater quantity of lactate dilute sweat.     

A comparison of hydration effect on body fluid and temperature regulation between Malaysian and Japanese males exercising at mild dehydration in humid heat

Background

This study investigated the effect of hydration differences on body fluid and temperature regulation between tropical and temperate indigenes exercising in the heat.

Methods

Ten Japanese and ten Malaysian males with matched physical characteristics (height, body weight, and peak oxygen consumption) participated in this study. Participants performed exercise for 60 min at 55% peak oxygen uptake followed by a 30-min recovery at 32°C and 70% relative air humidity with hydration (4 times each, 3 mL per kg body weight, 37°C) or without hydration. Rectal temperature, skin temperature, heart rate, skin blood flow, and blood pressure were measured continuously. The percentage of body weight loss and total sweat loss were calculated from body weight measurements. The percentage change in plasma volume was estimated from hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit.

Results

Malaysian participants had a significantly lower rectal temperature, a smaller reduction in plasma volume, and a lower heart rate in the hydrated condition than in the non-hydrated condition at the end of exercise (P <0.05), whereas Japanese participants showed no difference between the two hydration conditions. Hydration induced a greater total sweat loss in both groups (P <0.05), and the percentage of body weight loss in hydrated Malaysians was significantly less than in hydrated Japanese (P <0.05). A significant interaction between groups and hydration conditions was observed for the percentage of mean cutaneous vascular conductance during exercise relative to baseline (P <0.05).

Conclusions

The smaller reduction in plasma volume and percentage body weight loss in hydrated Malaysians indicated an advantage in body fluid regulation. This may enable Malaysians to reserve more blood for circulation and heat dissipation and thereby maintain lower rectal temperatures in a hydrated condition.