Intermittent sequential pneumatic compression does not enhance whole-body heat loss in elderly adults during extreme heat exposure

Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2019 Dec;44(12):1383-1386. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2019-0364. Epub 2019 Aug 9.

Abstract

Lower-limb intermittent sequential pneumatic compression (ISPC) improves circulation and vascular function in elderly adults. We evaluated the hypothesis that ISPC would also augment whole-body heat loss (WBHL) in elderly adults (aged 69 ± 4 years) resting in extreme heat (40 °C). While ISPC increased mean arterial pressure (91 ± 9 mm Hg) relative to no-ISPC (83 ± 5 mm Hg; P = 0.013) at the end of the exposure, no influence on WBHL was observed (81 ± 7 and 86 ± 11 W for ISPC and no-ISPC, respectively, P = 0.310). Novelty When assessed in elderly adults during an extreme heat exposure, intermittent sequential pneumatic compression augmented mean arterial pressure but did not enhance whole-body heat loss.

Keywords: aging; blood pressure; calorimetry; calorimétrie; compression; heat exchange; heat stress; pression artérielle; stress thermique; vieillissement; échange de chaleur.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Arterial Pressure
  • Body Temperature Regulation*
  • Calorimetry, Indirect
  • Extreme Heat / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Devices*
  • Male
  • Sweating*