Oxygen consumption and body temperature during sleep in cold environments

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Abstract
Six young soldiers slept at the following ambient temperatures: 25.5° to 26℃ (78–80℉), 15° to 18.5°C (60°–65℉) and -32° to -34.5℃ (-25°--30℉). Rectal (Tr) and skin temperatures were recorded and mean weighted skin temperature (Ts) was calculated at -hour intervals every night; oxygen consumption (Vo2) was measured at 6-minute intervals on occasional nights. During sleep at a ‘comfortable’ temperature (25.5℃) Tr, Ts and Vo2 decreased below the resting levels measured just before retiring. During sleep in cold environments, Tr and Ts dropped to still lower levels with the lowest values recorded at an early hour of the night. Vo2 during sleep in the cold did not differ from values recorded during sleep at 25.5℃. Lowest values measured during sleep in the coldest environment were 35.5°C, 30.5℃ and 78 Cal/m2 for Tr, Ts and body heat debt, respectively. These values may represent the limits of body cooling compatible with substantially continuous sleep in the cold. Submitted on February 19, 1959