Effect of localized microclimate heating on peripheral skin temperatures and manual dexterity during cold exposure

Reduced dexterity (DEX) is a problem in cold weather with a need for countermeasures that increase hand (Thand) and finger (Tfing) temperatures and improve DEX. The purpose of the study was to determine whether heat applied to the forearm (ARM), face (FACE) or both (COMB) at the beginning of cold exposure (COLD; 0.5°C, 120-min) or after Tfing fell to 10.5°C (delayed trials, D) improves temperatures and DEX. Eight volunteers (26±9 yr) completed 7 COLD trials: ARM, ARM-D, FACE, FACE-D, COMB, COMB-D, and no heating (CON). Temperatures and DEX were measured before (BASE) and during COLD. Data are reported for min 90. Thand was warmer (p<0.001) during ARM (18.0±2.6°C) and COMB (18.9±2.0°C) vs. CON (15.3±1.5) and FACE (15.8±1.5°C) for heating that was initiated at the beginning of COLD. Tfing was higher (p<0.04) during COMB (12.7±5.1°C) vs. CON (9.7±2.1°C) and FACE (8.9±2.2°C). The change from BASE for Purdue pegboard assembly (# of pieces) was less (p<0.005) in COMB (-4.5±3.3) and ARM (-5.0±6.0) vs. CON (-13.0...