ABSTRACT

　To elucidate the effects of age-related decrease in aerobic capacity on the blunted thermal sensation observed in the seniors, we compared thermal sensation between seniors (mean age 69 yrs) and young counterparts (mean age 22 yrs) who have similar maximal oxygen uptake and physical characteristics. Under normothermia and mild-hyperthermia (esophageal temperature, +0.7-+0.9℃, lower legs immersion in 42℃ water), warm and cold detection threshold at the forearm and chest and also whole body thermal sensation (VAS) were determined in addition to thermoregulatory responses. We found that there were no significant differences in esophageal and mean skin temperatures while warm detection threshold at the forearm was significantly higher (blunted) in the seniors than the young. On the other hand, there were no significant differences in warm detection threshold at the chest, cold detection threshold at the forearm and chest, and also whole body thermal sensation between the groups. These results may suggest that age-related decease in aerobic capacity causes the decreased whole body thermal sensation while does not associate with the blunted warm detection threshold at the extremities with normal aging. Thus, the blunted thermal sensation with aging would be improved, at least in part, with the enhanced aerobic capacity in the seniors.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.38/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE