Physiological Changes in Wintering Members of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition 1968-1969

• Main Author: Ohkubo, Yoshiaki
• Language: English
• Published: 1976
• Subjects: Antarctic; South Pole; Syowa Station; Antarc*; Memoirs of National Institute of Polar Research; Polar Research; South pole
• Online Access: https://nipr.repo.nii.ac.jp/record/662/files/KJ00000011355.pdf

P(論文) Physiological changes of 29 wintering members were observed at Syowa Station and also during the South Pole traverse. The mean atmospheric temperature at the station was -10℃ (+ 9.5℃ to -32.4℃), mean wind velocity was 6.4m/s and mean relative humidity was 62%. About 30% and 13% of the day were spent in various outdoor activities by the traverse members and the base members, respectively. Positive energy balance was observed at the station but negative during the traverse. This means that the body weight increased at the station. The correlation between the changes of the skinfold thickness of the abdomen and the body weight in the both groups was positive significantly. Basal metabolism of the base members showed a seasonal variation. The value increased when the outside temperature lowered and decreased as the outside temperature rose. This variation may be the result of acclimatization to the cold. Blood pressure tended to fall in the winter. Vital capacity showed a decrease due to physical fatigue. The hemoconcentration was observed after the autumn traverse. Erythrocytosis caused by the high altitude, unexplained leukopenia and relative lymphocytosis were recognized during the South Pole traverse. departmental bulletin paper