Investigation of Gender Differences in Sleeping Comfort at Different Environmental Temperatures

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 811-820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Pan ◽  
Zhiwei Lian ◽  
Li Lan
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Skin Temperature ◽  
Finger Blood Flow ◽  
Mean Skin Temperature ◽  
Finger Temperature ◽  
Temperature Changes ◽  
Subjective Evaluations

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether there is gender difference in sleep comfort of healthy individuals at various temperatures. During winter, sleep quality was examined under different indoor temperatures (17, 20 and 23°C) using questionnaires and electroencephalogram (EEG). To explore the mechanism responsible for gender differences in comfortable sleeping temperatures, mean skin temperature, finger temperature and finger blood flow were measured. The results showed that females would prefer a higher ambient temperature during sleep than the men. The mean skin temperature for females was higher than that of males, whereas finger skin temperature and finger blood flow were significantly lower in females than in males. Furthermore, skin temperature and finger blood flow were more sensitive to ambient temperature with females than in males. The gender differences in preferred sleeping temperature could therefore be related to these physiological characteristics. Both subjective evaluations and EEG found better sleep quality in males under the same temperatures compared to females. Skin temperature changes over the course of the night also demonstrated longer periods of deep sleep in males compared to females.

scholarly journals Contactless Monitoring of Microcirculation Reaction on Local Temperature Changes

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (22) ◽  
pp. 4947 ◽  
Author(s):  
Volynsky ◽  
Margaryants ◽  
Mamontov ◽  
Kamshilin
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Skin Temperature ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Thermal Exposure ◽  
Thermal Impact ◽  
Vasomotor Response ◽  
Temperature Changes ◽  
Custom Made ◽  
Electrocardiogram Ecg ◽  
System Operating

Assessment of skin blood flow is an important clinical task which is required to study mechanisms of microcirculation regulation including thermoregulation. Contactless assessment of vasomotor reactivity in response to thermal exposure is currently not available. The aim of this study is to show the applicability of the imaging photoplethysmography (IPPG) method to measure quantitatively the vasomotor response to local thermal exposure. Seventeen healthy subjects aged 23 ± 7 years participated in the study. A warm transparent compress applied to subject’s forehead served as a thermal impact. A custom-made IPPG system operating at green polarized light was used to monitor the subject’s face continuously and simultaneously with skin temperature and electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings. We found that the thermal impact leads to an increase in the amplitude of blood pulsations (BPA) simultaneously with the skin temperature increase. However, a multiple increase in BPA remained after the compress was removed, whereas the skin temperature returned to the baseline. Moreover, the BPA increase and duration of the vasomotor response was associated with the degree of external heating. Therefore, the IPPG method allows us to quantify the parameters of capillary blood flow during local thermal exposure to the skin. This proposed technique of assessing the thermal reactivity of microcirculation can be applied for both clinical use and for biomedical research.

Active cutaneous vasodilation in resting humans during mild heat stress

2005 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 829-837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshi-Ichiro Kamijo ◽  
Kichang Lee ◽  
Gary W. Mack
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
Skin Temperature ◽  
Skin Blood Flow ◽  
Sweat Rate ◽  
Mean Skin Temperature ◽  
Local Skin ◽  
Mild Heat ◽  
Normal Core ◽  
Local Sweat Rate

The role of skin temperature in reflex control of the active cutaneous vasodilator system was examined in six subjects during mild graded heat stress imposed by perfusing water at 34, 36, 38, and 40°C through a tube-lined garment. Skin sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA) was recorded from the peroneal nerve with microneurography. While monitoring esophageal, mean skin, and local skin temperatures, we recorded skin blood flow at bretylium-treated and untreated skin sites by using laser-Doppler velocimetry and local sweat rate by using capacitance hygrometry on the dorsal foot. Cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was calculated by dividing skin blood flow by mean arterial pressure. Mild heat stress increased mean skin temperature by 0.2 or 0.3°C every stage, but esophageal and local skin temperature did not change during the first three stages. CVC at the bretylium tosylate-treated site (CVCBT) and sweat expulsion number increased at 38 and 40°C compared with 34°C ( P < 0.05); however, CVC at the untreated site did not change. SSNA increased at 40°C ( P < 0.05, different from 34°C). However, SSNA burst amplitude increased ( P < 0.05), whereas SSNA burst duration decreased ( P < 0.05), at the same time as we observed the increase in CVCBT and sweat expulsion number. These data support the hypothesis that the active vasodilator system is activated by changes in mean skin temperature, even at normal core temperature, and illustrate the intricate competition between active vasodilator and the vasoconstrictor system for control of skin blood flow during mild heat stress.

Thermal comfort in relation to mean skin temperature

1970 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. D. L. Topliff ◽  
S. D. Livingstone
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Skin Temperature ◽  
Incident Radiation ◽  
Mean Skin Temperature ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Per Se

Nude men were exposed to a range of ambient temperatures and were brought to a condition of thermal comfort by adjustment of the incident radiation. The mean skin temperature associated with comfort was found to be different for each combination of ambient temperature and incident radiation. It was evident that mean skin temperature, per se, was not a dependable criterion of thermal comfort.

Skin temperature and blood flow in the rabbit ear

1963 ◽  
Vol 204 (4) ◽  
pp. 615-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Honda ◽  
L. D. Carlson ◽  
W. V. Judy
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Skin Temperature ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Peripheral Blood Flow ◽  
Rabbit Ear

The relation of skin temperature and blood flow in the rabbit ear may be expressed as (See PDF for Equation) where Ts is skin temperature, F is peripheral blood flow, TR is rectal temperature, Tr is room temperature, and K1, K2, K3, and α are constants. The constants vary with ambient temperature probably reflecting the degree of precooling that occurs in the circulating blood.

Do chronic primary insomniacs have impaired heat loss when attempting sleep?

2006 ◽  
Vol 290 (4) ◽  
pp. R1115-R1121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Gradisar ◽  
Leon Lack ◽  
Helen Wright ◽  
Jodie Harris ◽  
Amber Brooks
Keyword(s):  
Skin Temperature ◽  
Heat Loss ◽  
Core Body Temperature ◽  
Finger Skin Temperature ◽  
Finger Temperature ◽  
Temperature Changes ◽  
The Core ◽  
Hands And Feet ◽  
Core Body ◽  
Finger Skin

For good sleepers, distal skin temperatures (e.g., hands and feet) have been shown to increase when sleep is attempted. This process is said to reflect the body’s action to lose heat from the core via the periphery. However, little is known regarding whether the same process occurs for insomniacs. It would be expected that insomniacs would have restricted heat loss due to anxiety when attempting sleep. The present study compared the finger skin temperature changes when sleep was attempted for 11 chronic primary insomniacs [mean age = 40.0 years (SD 13.3)] and 8 good sleepers [mean age = 38.6 years (SD 13.2)] in a 26-h constant routine protocol with the inclusion of multiple-sleep latency tests. Contrary to predictions, insomniacs demonstrated increases in finger skin temperature when attempting sleep that were significantly greater than those in good sleepers ( P = 0.001), even though there was no significant differences in baseline finger temperature ( P = 0.25). These significant increases occurred despite insomniacs reporting significantly greater sleep anticipatory anxiety ( P < 0.0008). Interestingly, the core body temperature mesor of insomniacs (37.0 ± 0.2°C) was significantly higher than good sleepers (36.8 ± 0.2°C; P = 0.03). Whether insomniacs could have impaired heat loss that is masked by elevated heat production is discussed.

Differences in the postexercise threshold for cutaneous active vasodilation between men and women

2006 ◽  
Vol 290 (1) ◽  
pp. R172-R179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glen P. Kenny ◽  
Jane E. Murrin ◽  
W. Shane Journeay ◽  
Francis D. Reardon
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Skin Temperature ◽  
Skin Blood Flow ◽  
Peak Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Mean Skin Temperature ◽  
Local Skin ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Cutaneous Vasodilation ◽  
Vasodilatory Response

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible differences in the postexercise cutaneous vasodilatory response between men and women. Fourteen subjects (7 men and 7 women) of similar age, body composition, and fitness status remained seated resting for 15 min or cycled for 15 min at 70% of peak oxygen consumption followed by 15 min of seated recovery. Subjects then donned a liquid-conditioned suit. Mean skin temperature was clamped at ∼34°C for 15 min. Mean skin temperature was then increased at a rate of 4.3 ± 0.8°C/h while local skin temperature was clamped at 34°C. Skin blood flow was measured continuously at two forearm skin sites, one with (UT) and without (BT) (treated with bretylium tosylate) intact α-adrenergic vasoconstrictor activity. The exercise threshold for cutaneous vasodilation in women (37.51 ± 0.08°C and 37.58 ± 0.04°C for UT and BT, respectively) was greater than that measured in men (37.33 ± 0.06°C and 37.35 ± 0.06°C for UT and BT, respectively) ( P < 0.05). Core temperatures were similar to baseline before the start of whole body warming for all conditions. Postexercise heart rate (HR) for the men (77 ± 4 beats/min) and women (87 ± 6 beats/min) were elevated above baseline (61 ± 3 and 68 ± 4 beats/min for men and women, respectively), whereas mean arterial pressure (MAP) for the men (84 ± 3 mmHg) and women (79 ± 3 mmHg) was reduced from baseline (93 ± 3 and 93 ± 4 mmHg for men and women, respectively) ( P < 0.05). A greater increase in HR and a greater decrease in the MAP postexercise were noted in women ( P < 0.05). No differences in core temperature, HR, and MAP were measured in the no-exercise trial. The postexercise threshold for cutaneous vasodilation measured at the UT and BT sites for men (37.15 ± 0.03°C and 37.16 ± 0.04°C, respectively) and women (37.36 ± 0.05°C and 37.42 ± 0.03°C, respectively) were elevated above no exercise (36.94 ± 0.07°C and 36.97 ± 0.05°C for men and 36.99 ± 0.09°C and 37.03 ± 0.11°C for women for the UT and BT sites, respectively) ( P < 0.05). A difference in the magnitude of the thresholds was measured between women and men ( P < 0.05). We conclude that women have a greater postexercise onset threshold for cutaneous vasodilation than do men and that the primary mechanism influencing the difference between men and women in postexercise skin blood flow is likely the result of an altered active vasodilatory response and not an increase in adrenergic vasoconstrictor tone.

Comparison of the thermoregulatory response of buffaloes and tropical cattle, using fluctuations in rectal temperature, skin temperature and haematocrit as an index

2004 ◽  
Vol 142 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. KOGA ◽  
M. SUGIYAMA ◽  
A. N. DEL BARRIO ◽  
R. M. LAPITAN ◽  
B. R. ARENDA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Skin Temperature ◽  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Comparative Studies ◽  
Skin Surface ◽  
The Body ◽  
Thermoregulatory Response ◽  
Body Core

In previous comparative studies of buffaloes and temperate cattle, a greater increase in rectal temperature (RT) and skin temperature (ST), and a greater decrease in haematocrit (Ht) have been observed in buffaloes than in temperate cattle with an increase in ambient temperature (AT). Our series of previous experiments suggested that great changes in RT, ST and Ht are induced in buffaloes by a marked increase in blood flow from the body core to the surface, which accelerates dissipation of heat from the skin surface. On the basis of these suggestions, the present study was undertaken to compare fluctuations in RT, ST and Ht between buffaloes and tropical cattle. Fluctuations in the aforementioned parameters, particularly RT and Ht, were greater in buffaloes than in cattle. Moreover, the correlation for RT or Ht v. AT was significant for buffaloes (r=0·33 and −0·37, respectively) but not for cattle. The correlation coefficient for ST v. AT was significant in both species, but was greater in buffaloes (r=0·63) than in cattle (r=0·56). These results demonstrate that with changes in ambient temperature, RT, ST and Ht fluctuate much more in buffaloes than in tropical cattle, as found previously for temperate cattle. Therefore, the distinctive thermoregulatory responses of buffalo are confirmed as being specific to this species.

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