Exercise Thermoregulation with a Simulated Burn Injury: Impact of Air Temperature

The U.S. Army’s Standards of Medical Fitness (AR 40-501) states: “Prior burn injury (to include donor sites) involving a total body surface area of 40% or more does not meet the standard.” However, the standard does not account for the interactive effect of burn injury size and air temperature on exercise thermoregulation. Purpose To evaluate whether the detrimental effect of a simulated burn injury on exercise thermoregulation is dependent on air temperature. Methods On eight occasions, nine males cycled for 60 min at a fixed metabolic heat production (6 W·kg−1) in air temperatures of 40°C or 25°C with simulated burn injuries of 0% (Control), 20%, 40%, or 60% of total body surface area (TBSA). Burn injuries were simulated by covering the skin with an absorbent, vapor-impermeable material to impede evaporation from the covered areas. Core temperature was measured in the gastrointestinal tract via telemetric pill. Results In 40°C conditions, greater elevations in core temperature were observed with 40% and 60% TBSA simulated burn injuries versus Control (P
Source: Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise - Category: Sports Medicine Tags: APPLIED SCIENCES Source Type: research