Explain The Physiological Effects On The Human Body And The Response Of The Major Body Systems To Physical Activity After Cold Water Immersion.

11 Pages 2658 Words

Explain the physiological effects on the human body and the response of the major body systems to physical activity after cold water immersion.



Introduction 2
Personal Experience 2
Respiratory Responses to Cold 3
Muscular and Circulatory Responses to Cold 4
Metabolic Responses to Cold 5
Heat Loss Through Conduction and Convection 5
Effects of Wind Chill 7
Heat Loss in Cold Water 7
Factors Affecting Heat Loss 8
Hypothermia and Frostbite 9
Summary 10
Bibliography 12
Appendix A 13


Introduction
The human body is an amazing mechanism that supports, protects and gives us life. In order for our body to do this it needs to be in a state of homeostasis, which is described by Sherwood (1997, p5) as the “maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment.” Should there be a breakdown in any one system in the body it will have a knock-on effect on other systems, which will be recognised by the brain. The brain will then make compensations in other areas to rectify the problems in order to return to the state of homeostasis so that we can continue to function normally.

The following will explore problems arising from the body being immersed in cold water and the physiological effects from this. It will also describe ways in which the body will attempt to rectify itself.

Personal Experience
During a river kayaking course in February 2004 the author was exposed to cold water after capsizing the boat. Although the correct clothing was worn severe effects of the cold prevented any further participation in the activity.

Weather reports as per Draycote Water website (2004), a water sports centre in the area, recorded the following about the weather that day:
· Outside temperature of 1°C
· Wind speed of 18mph
· Wind chill of -11°C
· Water temperature of 3°C
In the preceding days there had been 3 inches of snow which had frozen solid by the day of the activity, and it was overcast for the whole d...