PALMAR SKIN RESISTANCE (P.S.R.) DURING A STANDARD PERIOD OF CONTROLLED MUSCULAR ACTIVITY AS A MEASURE OF PHYSICAL FITNESS AND FATIGUE

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Abstract
With the entire palmar areas in an electrolyte of NaCl at body temp., reliable measurements of palmar skin resistance were obtained, especially under conditions of a standard work stress on the bicycle ergometer. The palmar skin resistance decreased within 5 sec. after the beginning of muscular activity on the bicycle ergometer, and there was a large decrease in the 1st min. of work. In expts. with 7 or 8 work periods, there was a stage during which the general trend of palmar skin resistance either decreased at a slower rate, remained level, or rose, followed by a stage in which there was a final downward trend. A significant negative correlation was found between day-to-day changes in the level of palmar skin resistance measured near the end of the 1st min. of work and working capacity measured by the total work performed on the ergometer. Large sleep losses resulted in marked increases of palmar skin resistance measured in the 1st min. of work. Recovery with normal sleep was not immediate. Heavy muscular work without an adequate period for recovery likewise raised the level of palmar skin resistance. The level of palmar skin resistance measured near the end of 1 min. of work under constant conditions of speed and load, constituting a standard work stress, is related to fatigue and physical fitness. Conditions producing fatigue are associated with higher levels of palmar skin resistance.

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