Thermoregulation during Cold Water Immersion is Unimpaired by Low Muscle Glycogen Levels

摘要

This investigation studied the importance of muscle glycogen levels for body temperature regulation during cold stress. Physiological responses of eight euglycemic males were measured while they rested in cold (18 C, stirred) water on two separate occasions. The trials followed a 3-day program of diet and exercise manipulation designed to produce either high (HMG) or low (LMG) preimmersion glycogen levels in the muscles of the legs, arms, and upper torso. Preimmersion vastus lateralis muscle glycogen concentrations were lower during the LMG trail (144 + or - 14 mmol glucose/kg dry tissue) than the HMG trail (543 + or - 53 mmol glucose/kg dry tissue). There were no significant differences between the two trials in shivering as reflected by aerobic metabolic rate or in the amount of body cooling as reflected by changes in rectal temperature during the immersions. Postimmersion muscle glycogen levels remained unchanged from preimmersion levels in both trails. Small but significant increases in plasma glucose and lactate concentration occurred during both immersions. Plasma glycerol increased during immersion in the LMG trail but not in the HMG trail. Plasma free fatty acid concentration increased during both immersion trails, but the change was apparent sooner the LMG immersion. It was concluded that thermoregulatory responses of moderately lean and fatter individuals exposed to cold stress were not impaired by a substantial reduction in the muscle glycogen levels of several major skeletal muscle groups. Reprints. (aw)