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Facial cold-induced vasodilation and skin temperature during exposure to cold wind

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Abstract

One purpose of this study was to characterize the facial skin temperature and cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD) response of 12 subjects (six males and six females) during exposure to cold wind (i.e., −10 to 10°C; 2, 5, and 8 m/s wind speed). This study found that at each wind speed, facial skin temperature decreased as ambient temperature decreased. The percentage of subjects showing facial CIVD decreased significantly at an ambient temperature above −10°C. A similar CIVD percentage was observed between 0°C dry and 10°C wet (face sprayed with fine water mist) at each wind speed. No CIVDs were observed during the 10°C dry condition at any wind speed. The incidence of CIVD response was more uniform across facial sites when there was a greater cold stress (i.e., −10°C and 8 m/s wind). Another objective of the study was to examine the effect of the thermal state of the body (as reflected by core temperature) on the facial skin temperature response during rest and exercise. This study found that nose skin temperature was significantly higher in exercising subjects with an elevated core temperature even though there was no significant difference in face skin temperature between the two conditions. Therefore, this finding suggests that acral regions of the face, such as the nose, are more sensitive to changes in the thermal state of the body, and hence will stay warmer relative to other parts of the face during exercise in the cold.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the technical support of Robert Limmer and Debbie Kerrigan-Brown.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Protection and Performance Group, Defence Research and Development Canada - Toronto, 1133 Sheppard Avenue West, M3M 3B9, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Dragan Brajkovic & Michel B. Ducharme

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  1. Dragan Brajkovic
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  2. Michel B. Ducharme
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Correspondence to Dragan Brajkovic.

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Brajkovic, D., Ducharme, M.B. Facial cold-induced vasodilation and skin temperature during exposure to cold wind. Eur J Appl Physiol 96, 711–721 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-005-0115-3

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