Student research project
Supervisor: Associate Professor Erin Howden
Project summary
The sympathetic response to the cold pressor test, the exposure of a limb to freezing water, induces a predictable increase in heart rate and blood pressure. The mechanisms underlying this response are driven by both the temperature and the associated pain to increase muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) — the vasoconstrictor sympathetic action potentials to the smooth muscle of the arterioles. MSNA is recorded via microelectrode inserted into accessible nerves in human subjects.
Preliminary observations in our lab however have indicated that people who routinely are exposed to approximately freezing temperatures through cold plunges and cold ocean swimming may have blunted or absent autonomic response to cold stimuli.
This study will recruit participants with chronic cold exposure and those without to compare their autonomic response to cold pressor testing. This work would show the potential role in habuituation to cold or painful stimuli may inhibit previously well-established autonomic reflexes.
This project is suitable for a Masters or Honours student and will involve the application of human research.