Age and hypohydration independently influence the peripheral vascular response to heat stress

• Published in: Journal of applied physiology (1985) Vol. 68; no. 5; p. 1902
• Main Authors: Kenney, W L, Tankersley, C G, Newswanger, D L, Hyde, D E, Puhl, S M, Turner, N L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.1990
• Subjects: Adult; Aging - physiology; Body Temperature Regulation - physiology; Dehydration - physiopathology; Hemodynamics - physiology; Hot Temperature - adverse effects; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Regional Blood Flow - physiology; Skin - blood supply; Stress, Physiological - physiopathology; Vasodilation - physiology
• ISSN: 8750-7587
• DOI: 10.1152/jappl.1990.68.5.1902

Seven young (Y, 22-28 yr) and seven middle-aged (MA, 49-60 yr) normotensive men of similar body size, fatness, and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) were exposed to a heat challenge in an environmental chamber (48 degrees C, 15% relative humidity). Tests were performed in two hydration states: hydrated (H, 25 ml water/kg body wt 1 h before the test, 2.5 h before exercise) and hypohydrated (Hypo, after 18-20 h of water deprivation). Each test began with a 90-min rest period during which the transiently increased plasma volume and decreased osmolality after drinking in the H condition returned to base line. This period was followed by 30 min of cycle exercise at a mean intensity of 43% VO2max and a 60-min resting recovery period with water ad libitum. Although prior drinking caused no sustained changes in plasma osmolality, Hypo increased plasma osmolality by 7-10 mosmol/kg in both groups. There were no significant age differences in water intake, urine output or osmolality, overall change in body weight, or sweating rate. In the H state, the percent change in plasma volume was less (P less than 0.01) during exercise for the Y group (-5.9 +/- 0.7%) than for the MA group (-9.4 +/- 0.6%). Esophageal temperature (Tes) was higher in the Hypo condition for both groups with no age-related differences. Throughout the 3-h period, mean skin temperature was higher in the Y group and significantly so (P less than 0.05) in the Hypo condition.