Relationship between thermoregulation and cold-induced vasodilation during cold exposure with regard to maximal oxygen intake / 体力科学

Based on the maximal oxygen intake (VO<SUB>2</SUB>max), 24 male students were classified into high (H-G), middle (M-G) and low (L-G) groups of the VO<SUB>2</SUB>max level. In each VO<SUB>2</SUB>max level group, thermoregulation characteristic values during cold exposure at an ambient temperature (Ta) of 12°C were compared with several parameters of cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD) measured at 28°C (observation 1) and the parameters measured after 30 min from the start of 60-min cold exposure (observation 2) . The relationship between CIVD as a peripheral vasomotor regulation response, and autonomic thermoregulatory response was examined. The results are as follows:<BR>A . H-G showed the smallest decreases in the rectal temperature (Tre) and in mean skin temperature (Tsk), and these parameters decreased as VO<SUB>2</SUB>max decreased. Enhancement of metabolic heat production (M) was highest in H-G and lowest in L-G.<BR>B . In the observations 1 and 2 of the CIVD tests, mean skin temperature (MST), temperature at first rise (TFR) and resistance index (RI) increased with rise in VO<SUB>2</SUB>max, while time of temperature rise (TTR) decreased. In the observation 2, TFR remained low by decreased temperature before water immersion (TBI) and, with TBI taken into consideration, no significant change in RI was observed except only in L-G.<BR>C. MST, TTR and RI in the CIVD measurements (observation 1 and 2) were significantly correlated with the mean thermoregulation characteristic value during 30-60 min after the start of cold exposure (the second half period) .<BR>D. During the second half period of cold exposure, significant negative correlations were observed between Tsk and body fat% (BF%) and between M and BF %. VO<SUB>2</SUB>max was significantly correlated with RI, Tre, Tsk and M.<BR>These results indicate that difference in physical fitness for endurance is clearly reflected in the values of cold-induced vasodilation in thermoneutral zone and during cold exposure. The peripheral vascular resistance of finger increased during cold exposure from that in thermoneutral zone causing decrease of finger skin temperature. After that, due to hunting reaction, the peripheral vascular resistance decreased, and a correspondance was observed between effectiveness in raising finger skin temperature through increase in skin blood flow and physical fitness for endurance. An interrelation was observed between the local cold resistance of peripheral vasomoter during exposure of finger to ice water and the whole cold resistance of autonomic temperature regulation during cold exposure of the whole body. It may be inferred that the subjects with high physical fitness for endurance have low insulative of body fat but have good cold tolerance by enhancement of heat production and preservation of skin temperature.

A survey of ambient temperature, drinking, sweating and body temperature / 体力科学

In order to get basic data for preventing heat stroke accident during exercise in a hot environment, we analysed the relation between environmental temperature, and drinking and sweating. We also analyed the effect of water intake on body temperature regulation during exercise.<BR>The environmental temperature started to rise in April, reached the maximumin August, and then decreased. Water intake and sweating increased significantly with increase in WBGT, but there was no correlation between weight loss and WBGT. The rise in body temperature during exercise (0.52±0.080°C) was constant and independent of WBGT. The rise in oral temperature during exercise was affected by the water intake and it was significantly higher when water was not supplied than that with water supply (p<0.001) . Sweat rate was significantly greater when water was supplied than when it was not supplied (p<0.01) .<BR>The above results suggest that the amount of water intake increased with the increase in WBGT, which guarantees the increase in sweating and as a result maintenance of constant oral temperature.<BR>Therefore it is suggested that it is better to supply water during exercise to facilitate evaporative heat loss, which prevent rise in oral temperature.

Effect of regular exercise on cold-induced vasodilation / 体力科学

Eighteen male college students who exercised regularly (the trained group) and 20 students who did not participate in regular exercise activities (the control group) were evaluated.<BR>Cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD) and maximal oxygen intake (VO<SUB>2</SUB>max) for each student were measured in May for four consecutive years. In addition, the motor capacity test devised by the Ministry of Education was given to each student. CIVD and values of motor capacity obtained from the students are summarized as follows;<BR>A. The motor capacity test consists of five items (motor skills) . There was no significant difference in muscle strength between the trained group and the control group. The degrees of improvement in explosive power and endurance capacity over the three years were greater in the trained group. It was significant that the degree of improvement in the total scores for the motor capacity test over the three years was 21% in the trained group in contrast to only 8% in the control group. While VO<SUB>2</SUB>max increased markedly in the trained group, it remained almost unchanged in the control group. The degress of improvement in VO<SUB>2</SUB>max over the three years were 25% in the trained group and 8% in the control group. The values in the control group were almost the same as the physical fitness standards, but those of the trained group were higher than the standards.<BR>B. Mean skin temperature and temperature at first rise in the trained group were higher throughout the three years than those in the control group. The time of temperature rise became shortened over three years in the trained group, but in contrast became rather longer in the control group. The range of variations in the amplitude of temperature was 9°C-13°C in the trained group and around 10°C in the control group. Resistance index (RI) of the trained group was higher in the first year; by the time the students became seniors, there was a 43% increase in RI. In contrast, RI in the control group was almost unchanged. The degree of improvement over the three years was 10% in the latter group.<BR>C. The correlation coefficient of RI with scores from the motor capacity test was 0.499 in the trained group and 0.270 in the control group. The correlation coefficient for all the subjects was 0.605. The correlation coefficient of RI with VO<SUB>2</SUB>max was 0.500 in the trained group, 0.160 in the control group and 0.623 in all the subjects. These values indicate that CIVD values and improvement in motor capacity are closely related, and that the interdependence of these two parameters is particularly strong in trained individuals.<BR>These results indicate that the degree of CIVD is determined not only by genetic factors and chronic exposure to cold temperatures but also by physical training.

Study of cold-induced vasodilation due to cold exposure / 体力科学

This study was carried out to examine the following. 1) For 20 adult males in summer, cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD) immersed in ice water (ice water CIVD) and CIVD exposed to cold air of 0°C, -5°C and -10°C (cold air CIVD) were compared. The blood pressure was measured and examined during the course of measuring ice water CIVD and -10°C cold air CIVD. 2) -10°C cold air CIVD was measured in summer and in winter for 40 males.<BR>The results for 1) and 2) are summarized as follows.<BR>1. Definite effects of the difference in thermal transmission rate was observed between cold air CIVD and ice water CIVD. Finger skin temperature fell as the temperature at cold air CIVD dropped to 0, -5 and -10°C. At -10°C cold air CIVD where the drop of skin temperature was greatest, the temperature at first rise (TFR) was higher, time of temperature rise (TTR) was longer and amplitude of temperature (AT) was greater, compared with the respective values at ice water CIVD. However, no difference was observed in mean skin temperature (MST) during the exposure. Individual difference in values at cold air CIVD was greater than that at ice water CIVD.<BR>2. The time of maximum rise of blood pressure response after cold exposure was 5 minutes at ice water CIVD and 20 minutes at -10°C cold air CIVD. The rate of blood pressure rise at -10°C cold air CIVD was significantly greater. The time when the rise of blood pres-sure reached the maximum was identical with the time when the skin temperature became lowest.<BR>3. At -10°C cold air CIVD, MST and TFR were higher and TTR shorter in winter than those in summer. At ice water CIVD, the values in summer were higher for MST and TFR and shorter for TTR as mentioned previously.<BR>4. The temperature before -10°C cold air CIVD (TB) showed a significant correlation with MST and TFR, though not with TTR.<BR>5. A comparison of these results with Watanuki et al.'s report reveal some differences.

Studies on comparison of physical measurements and blood properties of middle-aged and old farmers in Saga prefecture with reference to topographical features / 日本農村医学会雑誌

A survey of physical mesurements, blood pressure, blood mesurements and frequency of food consumption was conducted on 152 males and 229 females, aged 40 to 65 years, from three rural districts in Saga prefecture. The districts were Ariake (flatland area), Kohhoku (intermediate area) and Yamanouchi (mountainous area). While, on the aged -above 70 years, a questionnaire on daily living and health condioion was investigated.<BR>The results were summarized as follows:<BR>1) The values of skinfold thickness differed little among the districts. The rate of obesity by skinfold thickness both in male and female was lower than the result of National Dietary Survey in 1981. However, the average skinfold thickness in females were higher a little compared with the values of our suruey in same region in 1971.<BR>2) The prevalence rate of anemia in females was remarkably high (below 12g/dl of hemoglobin, 34%). It presumed that agricultural work load might heavy, and nutrients intake correspond to the work load was insufficient.<BR>3) From the results of frequency of food consumption, inhabitants in Ariake compared with Kohhoku more frequently intaked modern food e. g. meat, milk. On the other hand, Kohhoku was higher in blood pressure, HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio, and lower in triglyceride, total choresterol than Ariake. We guessed that the food consumption pattern mainly affect on the results of blood pressure and serum lipids.<BR>4) In relation to the correlation matrix which calculated on all districts, the higher the obesity, the higher the blood pressure, triglyceride, total cholesterol and cholinesterase activity, whereas the obesity decreased HDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio.<BR>5) Among 90 persons aged above 70 years, the rate of ones who can not work from physically disability, and who have any desease was 18%, 51% respectively.

CHANGE IN COLD-INDUCED VASODILATION DURING PHYSICAL TRAINING / 体力科学

The cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD) was measured of 30 male university students who were daily engaged in three or four kilometers running, a rubdown with a dry towel and sports activities (trained group), and of 20 male university students who were hardly doing any physical exercise (untrained group) . Measurements were made five times in spring, summer and autumn in 1976 and in winter and spring in 1977. The results were summarized below:<BR>1. The mean skin temperature (MST) and the temperature at first rise (TFR) were higher and the time of temperature rise (TTR) was earlier in the trained than in the untrained. This trend of difference between the two groups was particularly remarkable in summer, autumn and winter. MST was high in summer and low in winter, and this seasonal variation of MST was in conformity with that of the previous reports. The variation of the index of MST, TFR and TTR well conformed with that of temperature before water immersion (TBI), supporting the reasonability of Nakamura et al's rating method.<BR>2. The resistance index (RI) was higher in the trained after summer and was significant in winter and spring of the following year. The increase of RI in one year was as significant as 18% in the trained while it was only 2% in the untrained. The seasonal variation of RI showed a two-peak behavior, high in summer and winter and low in spring and autumn.<BR>The above differences of CIVD scores between the trained and the untrained indicate that physical training is useful for resistivity against cold.

EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL TRAINING ON COLD-INDUCED VASODILATION OF FINGER / 体力科学

The following two aspects will be considered in this paper. First, in order to elucidate the effects of experimental increase of heat production on the cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD), we examined 20 males in CIVD before and after each exercise. Second, in terms of the difference in CIVD between trained and untrained individuals, 160 trained and 34 untrained males were examined. The results obtained from both of the experiments may be summarized as follows.<BR>1. The CIVD after one hour's outdoor exercise was enhanced in comparison with that before exercise. After exercise, the temperature before water immersion (TBI), mean skin temperature (MST) and temperature at first rise (TFR) during immersion were significantly higher, and the time to temperature rise (TTR) during immersion was significantly shorter.<BR>The amplitude of temperature (AT) was likewise significantly higher. These scores were calculated into resistance indices (RI) by Yoshimura's method and Nakamura's method (3 point method and 5 point method) . As a result, the RI by Yoshimura's method was significantly higher after exercise while that by Nakamura's method showed no difference. This suggests that a transient increase of heat content by physical exercise is ignored in the latter method.<BR>2. In regard to the features of CIVD in the trained as compared with the untrained, TBI, MST, TFR and AT were higher, and TTR was shorter and RI was significantly higher. There was a significant positive correlation between the years of experience of sports and RI.<BR>3. The CIVD was higher in those trained in outdoor sports than in indoor sports. The RI, classified by sport events was the highest in swimming followed in decreasing order by rowing, karate, baseball, track and field, judo, tennis, rugby, basketball, soccer, kendo, badminton, volleyball and table-tennis.<BR>This order was almost the same even after eliminating the effects of the years of experience of sports. Thus, it follows from this observation that the RI was higher in the trained in outdoor sports than in the trained in indoor sports. This result may be atrributed to the fact that outdoor sportsmen have more opportunities to be exposed to outdoor cold as compared with indoor sportsmen.

STUDIES ON EPIDEMIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF SENILITY BY BODY HEIGHT, ARM SPAN AND MOBILITY OF THORACO-LUMBAR SPINE (REPORT 2) / 体力科学

A statistical study was made of the senility of those engaged in three different types of occupation by measuring their body height, arm span, body height/arm span ratio and mobility of thoraco-lumbar spine. The subjects of the study were 323 males and 305 females engaged in fishery (primary industry), 382 males and 731 females engaged in farming (primary industry), and 366 male and 207 female industrial workers (secondary and tertiary industries) . The results obtained were as follows.<BR>1. The body height of males was greater than the national average in the fisherman and industrial worker groups but smaller in the farmer group. The shortening of body height due to aging after 40 was gradual in the fisherman group but remarkable in the farmer and industrial worker groups. The body height of females was smaller than the national average in all the three groups up to the age of 40, but after that age, it was greater than the average in the fisherman group and almost identical to it in the industrial worker and farmer groups. Arm span showed the same tendency as body height in both males and females. However, the reduction of arm span due to aging was less than half that of body height.<BR>The body height/arm span ratio which is considered as an index of the shortening of body height due to aging was alike among the three groups in both males and females up to the age of 40. At greater ages the ratio was maintained highest in the fisherman group, suggesting that the shortening of body height due to aging was smaller in the fisherman group than in the other occupation groups.<BR>2. Various scores of mobility of thoraco-lumbar spine showed changes with age corresponding to their respective characteristics. Generally, there was a tendency that the scores were highest and the changes with age were smallest in the fisherman group. Difference by occupation was noted in the range of total flexion-extension and maximal extension ; particularly the range of maximal extention for both males and females was highest in the fisherman group, lowest in the farmer group and medium in the industrial worker group, indicating difference by occupation most remarkably.<BR>3. No significant relationship was observed between the body height/arm span ratio as an index of the shortening of body height and the mobility of thoracolumbar spine in any of the three groups for either males or females under 40. However, a positive correlation was noticed at ages greater than 40. Although there was in each test item some difference between males and females, the correlation. ship at advanced ages was generally lowest in the fisherman group and highest in the farmer group.<BR>4. In view of the above findings, the shortening of body height due to aging and the reduction of mobility of spine at advanced ages were smallest in the fisherman group, and it may well be said that the occurrence of senility in the fisherman group is more delayed than in the other occupation groups. The relation of the shortening of body height with the reduction of mobility of thoraco-lumbar spine, particularly of the range of maximal extension, was most remarkable in the farmer group, suggesting that premature senility in terms of mobility of spine occurs earliest in those engaged in farming. It is desired to take the sort of physical exercise that stresses the flexibility of the spine for a prevention against senility.

STUDIES ON EPIDEMIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF SENILITY BY BODY HEIGHT, ARM SPAN AND MOBILITY OF THORACO-LUMBAR SPINE (REPORT 1) / 体力科学

Body height, arm span and mobility of thoraco-lumbar spine with a spinometer were measured for 1071 males and 1243 females selected from among the local residents of over 20 years of age. Upon reviewing the mutual relationships among the values of body height, arm span, body height, arm span ratio, and mobility of thoraco-lumbar spine, a study was conducted to see if body height arm span ratio as an index of body height shrinkage would serve for evaluation of senility. The results may be summarized as follows.<BR>1. The values of mobility of thoraco-lumbar spine decreased with age. The angle at maximal flexion (AF) was shallow and the angle of erected posture (AEP, physiological lordosis) and the angle at maximal extension (AE) shifted forward. As the result, the range of maximal flexion (RF), the range of maximal extension (RE) and the range of total flexion-extension (RTFE) decreased. Among the values of mobility of thoraco-lumbar spine, RE showed the greatest rate of decrease due to aging.<BR>2. According to the investigation of the relationships among the values of mobility of thoraco-lumbar spine, smaller values of AEP or physiological lordosis resulted in forward shifting of the area of total flexion-extension and in a decrease of RTFE.<BR>3. As Dequeker et al. claimed, the body height and the arm span in the mature 20's were almost equal, the ratio being approximately 1.0. Moreover, the values in the literature measured over 20 years ago together with those in the present study were reviewed and it was found that the ratio body height/arm span was constant regardless of the difference in body height and era. This evidence provides scientific support for the theory of Dequeker et al. that the ratio is an index of the shrinkage of body height due to aging.<BR>4. Although neither body height nor arm span showed any relationship with the values of mobility of thoraco-lumbar spine, the ratio body height arm span show correlationship with the values of mobility of thoraco-lumbar spine. Moreover, the relationship was evident in older subjects over 40 years of age while it was not so evident in younger subjects under 39 years of age, and thus there was a trend noted that the mobility of thoraco-lumbar spine becomes worse as the value of body height/ arm span decreases. This evidence indicates that the shrinkage of body height and the decrease of mobility of thoraco-lumbar spine progress simultaneously. Accordingly, the ratio body height/arm span and the mobility of thoraco-lumbar spine may be regarded as indices of senility of the morphology and function of lumbar spine.

STUDIES ON THE FLEXIBILITY OF BODY A NEW EVALUATION OF BODILY FLEXIBILITY BY DISTANCE METHOD / 体力科学

Comparative studies were carried out on methods for measuring and evaluating bodily flexibility using the data of measurements of toe touching and chest and leg raising (one of the so-called distance methods) and the ventro-dorsal motion range (degree) of the lumbar spine with Iino's spinometer (taken as one of the so-called angular methods) in 100 young male subjects. After reviewing the values of the distance method in relation to physique and statistical relations between the values of the angular method and the distance method, the following conclusions were obtained.<BR>A. The values of measurement by the conventional distance method were correlative with physique values. The value of toe touching (TT) showed a significant correlation with body height, leg length and arm length. The value of chest and leg raising (CLR) showed a correlation with body height and leg length. These two values involve a risk that the assessment of flexibility may be influenced by physique.<BR>B. Accordingly it is proposed that the following formula is reasonable for TT in order to eliminate the influence of physical factors.<BR>(1-arm length-conventional toe touching value/body height) ×100<BR>This may be called a toe touching index (TT Index) .<BR>An index of CLR relative to body height is likewise proposed as follows.<BR>Chest and leg raising index (CLR Index) =chest and leg raising value/body height×100<BR>C. TT Index and CLR Index were not correlative with physique. The correlation of TT Index to CLR Index was higher than that of conventional TT value and CLR value<BR>D. Regarding the correlation with the values for the maximal motion ranges (degree) of the lumbar spine, these two indices were higher than the conventional values of TT and CLR, especially they showed the closest correlation with the range of maximal extension (degree) among some measurment items on the mobility of the lumbar spine.<BR>Above all, the correlation of TT Index and CLR Index added together, with the range of maximal extension was the highest, showing a coefficient of +0.571.