Thermal Responses to Exercise in the Cold: Influence of Sex Differences and Alcohol

The study examined the responses of men and women exercising in a cold environment while experiencing the same metabolic heat production and the same blood alcohol levels. Subjects (7 men and 7 women) performed intermittent exercise (60W) for approximately 3 hours at — 5°C. on two occasions; once the subjects consumed alcohol (0.84 gm absolute alcohol/kg lean body weight) and once they consumed a placebo. In the control experiments the women had colder skin temperatures, the men had colder core temperatures and heat loss was similar. Blood alcohol (peak values approximately 9mM) did not affect the women but, the men had a significantly greater heat loss. It was concluded that under these conditions the men are more susceptible to cold and/or alcohol stresses when performing mild excercise.