Effects of high altitudes on finger cooling test in Japanese and Tibetans at Qinghai Plateau

The influences of both hypobaric hypoxia and cold on peripheral circulation were studied using the finger cooling test (measurement of the decrease in finger temperature, measured at the dorsal surface of the finger, during immersion of the hand in 0° C water for 20 min) at Qinghai Plateau. The same test was carried out at simulated altitudes in a 25° C climatic chamber to separate the hypobaric hypoxia influence from that of cold. In Japanese subjects at Qinghai Plateau there was a significant difference between finger skin temperatures (FSTs) during 20 min of 0° C water immersion at altitudes of 2260 m and 4860 m by ANOVA. Mean finger skin temperature during the 20-min immersion (5–20 min, MST) measured at 4860 m was significantly lower than that at 2260 m. In Tibetan subjects, there was also a significant difference between FSTs at 2260 m and at 4860 m by ANOVA. MST at 4860 m tended to be lower than that at 2260 m. In the 25° C climatic chamber, there was a significant difference between FSTs of Japanese expedition members at 2000 m and at 4000 m by ANOVA. MST was higher at 4000 m than at 2000 m, contrary to the data obtained in Qinghai. In conclusion, the higher skin temperature in response to local cold immersion, which would have been caused by stronger hypobaric hypoxia, must have been masked by the lower ambient temperature.