Abstract

The purpose of this study were to investigate influence of heat stress temperature on sympathetic nerve activities. Subjects were 8 normal adults (4 men, 4 women, 21.36 years old). First sympathetic nerve activities were measured at the point that increase of core temperature stops at the state of applying normal thermic temperature (NIT; $34^{\circ}C$). After measurement, temperature of bathtub was increased to heat stress temperature (HST; $46^{\circ}C$) and sympathetic nerve activities were remeasured at the point that temperature increase stops. Sympathetic skin response (SSR) were analyzed using EMG, IR thermometer, and auto stethoscope. SSR latency showed significant differences at both palms by electrical stimulation to median nerve (p<.05). Electrical stimulation to forehead showed significant difference at left palm (p<.05) and electrical stimulation to navel showed significant difference at right palm (p<.05). Median nerve in changes of SSR amplitude showed significant differences at both palms in HST (p<.01). Electrical stimulation to navel showed significant difference at left palm (p<.05). Ts of forehead and xiphoid process showed significant differences (p<0.01). Tc of oral (p<0.05) and inner ear (p<0.01) showed significant differences. Pulse rate showed significant difference (<0.05). This study showed that immersion in HST had significant decrease of excitability in sympathetic nervous system compared to immersion in NTT.

Keywords

• Heat stress temperature;
• Sympathetic nerve activities