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The article discusses the importance of discerning truth in a world where misinformation is prevalent, particularly due to social media. It emphasizes the need to critically evaluate information presented, especially in scientific studies, to make informed decisions. The authors provide a checklist for assessing the validity of claims, highlighting the significance of context, evidence, study design, and potential biases. The article underscores the necessity of questioning sources, methods, and statistics to combat misinformation effectively. [Extracted from the article]

This short review was prompted by The Physiological Society's recent online symposium on variability. It does not deal with a specific methodology, but rather with the myth that certain environmentally‐induced clinical conditions can be identified, quantified, simplified and monitored with a single methodology. Although this might be possible with some clinical conditions, others resist the prevailing reductionist approach of minimizing rather than exploring variation in pathogenesis and pathology, and will not be understood fully until the variation in cause and effect are embraced. This is likely to require comprehensive methodologies and collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Findings What is the topic of this review? This is the first review to look across the broad field of 'cold water immersion' and to determine the threats and benefits associated with it as both a hazard and a treatment., What advances does it highlight? The level of evidence supporting each of the areas reviewed is assessed., Like other environmental constituents, such as pressure, heat and oxygen, cold water can be either good or bad, threat or treatment, depending on circumstance. Given the current increase in the popularly of open cold water swimming, it is timely to review the various human responses to cold water immersion (CWI) and consider the strength of the claims made for the effects of CWI. As a consequence, in this review we look at the history of CWI and examine CWI as a precursor to drowning, cardiac arrest and hypothermia. We also assess its role in prolonged survival underwater, extending exercise time in the heat and treating hyperthermic casualties. More recent uses, such as in the prevention of inflammation and treatment of inflammation-related conditions, are also considered. It is concluded that the evidence base for the different claims made for CWI are varied, and although in most instances there seems to be a credible rationale for the benefits or otherwise of CWI, in some instances the supporting data remain at the level of anecdotal speculation. Clear directions and requirements for future research are indicated by this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professor Sir George Lindor Brown (1903-1971) is known for his pioneering research into cholinergicneuromuscular transmission.However,duringWorldWar IIheworkedinhyperbaric physiology, and his research into underwater physiology greatly improved the safety of divers. It is perhaps fitting, therefore, that this review, which accompanies the Physiological Society's G. L. Brown Prize Lecture for 2015, explores the impact and mitigation of the environmental stresses which, to varying extents, have shaped our past, threaten our present and inform our future. From a whole-body, integrative perspective, this review examines our current understanding of microgravity, hypo- and hyperbaria, heat, cold air and cold water as both individual and combined stresses. Consideration is given to ways of mitigating the threat posed by environmental extremes, including the differing extents to which humans can demonstrate adaptation to them. Finally, recommendations for further study are suggested that might result in both direct and indirect insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the processes involved in the establishment of a minimum occupational fitness standard, with particular reference to the interplay that inevitably occurs between objective measurements and subjective decisions. The areas considered include: the determination of the critical task on which to base a standard; establishing minimum acceptable performance and methods of best practice for the execution of these tasks; determining the physical demands of a task and a reasonable relative workload; producing the final standard. Finally, the impact of the subjective component of the development of an occupational fitness standard on its defensibility is discussed. It is concluded that all standards involve some subjective aspects; the extent of these could be reduced by further research. In the meantime, it would be prudent for those developing standards to detail the rationale, methods and evidence by which subjective decisions were reached, to provide an audit trail for subsequent investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study tested the hypothesis (H1) that surf swimming involves a quantifiable experience component. Sixty-five beach lifeguards with (n=35) and without surf experience (n=30) completed: a best effort 200-m swim in a 25-m pool, a calm and a surf sea; an anthropometric survey; maximum effort 30-s swim bench test; 50-m pool swim (25m underwater). In both groups, time to swim 200 m was slower in calm seas than in the pool and slower in surf than in either calm seas or the pool (p <0.05). Calm sea swim times of the two groups did not differ significantly, but the no experience group was, on average (Sp-pooled variance), 49 s (62) slower on the 200-m swim in the surf conditions (p< 0.05). A stepwise regression identified surf experience as a predictor of surf swim time (R2 = 0.32, p <0.01). It is concluded that there is a significant and quantifiable (18%) experience factor in surf swimming. This limits the usefulness of pool swim times and other land-based tests as predictors of surf swimming performance. The hypothesis (H1) is accepted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The present study examined the ability of the crew of small fast rescue boats to perform basic life support (BLS) at sea. Tests were undertaken aboard a 67m emergency response and rescue vessel (ERRV), a 9.1m (30ft) and 11.6m (38ft) fast rescue craft (“daughter craft” (DC)). It was hypothesised that the ability to perform BLS on a DC would be significantly impaired when compared with that seen on the ERRV. Nine DC crew volunteered for the study. These tests were undertaken in sea states ranging from 0.5 to 6 (13cm to 4m wave height). Wind speeds ranged between 0 and 35knots. The deterioration observed in the performance of BLS on board the DC compared to that seen on the ERRV was significant (P <0.05) and was due, in part, to a tendency to over-inflate during rescue breathing, and under-compress during BLS when on the DC. Chest compression (CC) was impaired significantly above a sea state 3 (wave height 61–92cm). It is concluded that the performance of BLS on small boats, in particular rescue breathing, is significantly adversely affected by two major factors, motion-induced interruption and early fatigue. As a consequence, the likelihood of conducting fully effective continuous BLS on a small boat in a seaway for any length of time, with a good chance of a successful outcome, is considered to be poor. However, this should not deter rescuers from attempting to make such efforts where practicable. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The document explores the physiological challenges associated with artistic swimming, an Olympic sport that combines swimming, dance, weightlifting, cheerleading, and gymnastics. Athletes in artistic swimming perform routines involving vigorous exercise with prolonged breath-holds, leading to complex physiological responses and potential episodes of syncope (loss of consciousness). The text highlights the need for further research into the unique physiological demands of artistic swimming and the safety risks associated with prolonged breath-holding and autonomic conflict. [Extracted from the article]

This study aimed to examine thermoregulation in different clothing assemblies during a representative cycling exercise protocol. Six men undertook cycling exercise simulating representative thermal exchange challenges while wearing low ( LOW), intermediate ( INT1 and INT2), or high ( HI) amounts of clothing. Exercise was conducted at 14.5 °C, 46.8% relative humidity and included a 'flat' [45 min at 35% peak power output ( PPO), wind speed 8.3 m/s], 'uphill' (30 min at 55% PPO, wind speed 3.6 m/s), and 'downhill' (20 min at 50 W, wind speed 16.7 m/s) stage. Rectal temperature changed with the exercise stage and was independent of clothing assembly. In contrast, an 'envelope' was evident for mean body temperature, resulting from differences in mean skin temperature between the LOW and HI conditions. The elevated mean body temperature in HI was associated with increased physiological 'cost,' in the form of increased sweat production and heart rate. Physiological cost provides a better index of clothing performance than deep body temperature in the 'thermoregulatory zone,' as a consequence sports clothing should attempt to optimize the balance between comfort and reduced physiological cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The zone of thermal comfort was determined during normoxia and hypoxia in 15 healthy normothermic young subjects. Subjects dressed only in shorts/shorts and bikini top donned a water-perfused suit and assumed a supine position on a bench. The ambient temperature was maintained at a mean (SD) of 25.7 (0.3) degrees C. The thermal comfort zone was determined by increasing the temperature of the water perfusing the suit from cool to warm. During the heating process, subjects were instructed to report when their perception of the thermal stimulus provided by the suit changed from unpleasant to pleasant, and again from pleasant to unpleasant. The boundaries of the thermal comfort zone were assumed to be the temperatures of the water perfusing the suit at the time the subjects reported a change in the affective component of their thermal perception. In normoxia, subjects inspired room air and in hypoxia a gas mixture containing 10% O(2) in N(2). Tympanic temperature was similar in the normoxia and hypoxia conditions (P>0.05). The average (SD) lower and upper limits of the thermal comfort zone were 30.5 (1.5) and 34.7 (3.3) degrees C, respectively, during normoxia, and 30.5 (1.7) and 35.1 (3.4) degrees C, respectively, during hypoxia. No significant differences were observed between the normoxia and hypoxia conditions (P>0.05). Also, no gender-related differences were observed in the characteristics of the thermal comfort zone. The results of the present study indicate that acute hypoxic exposure simulated in the present study does not affect the zone of thermal comfort in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutaneous temperature sensitivity was tested in 13 male subjects prior to, during and after they breathed either a hypocapnic hypoxic (HH), or a normocapnic hypoxic (NH) breathing mixture containing 10% oxygen in nitrogen. Normocapnia was maintained by adding carbon dioxide to the inspired gas mixture. Cutaneous thresholds for thermal sensation were determined by a thermosensitivity testing device positioned on the plantar side of the first two toes on one leg. Heart rate, haemoglobin saturation, skin temperature at four sites (arm, chest, thigh, calf) and adapting temperature of the skin (Tad; degrees centigrade), i.e. the temperature of the toe skin preceding a thermosensitivity test, were measured at minute intervals. Tympanic temperature (Tty; degrees centigrade) was measured prior to the initial normoxic thermosensitivity test, during the hypoxic exposure and after the completion of the final normoxic thermosensitivity test. End-tidal carbon dioxide fraction and minute inspiratory volume were measured continuously during the hypoxic exposure. Ambient temperature, Tty, Tad and mean skin temperature remained similar in both experimental conditions. Cutaneous sensitivity to cold decreased during both HH (P<0.001) and NH conditions (P<0.001) as compared with the tests undertaken pre- and post-hypoxia. No similar effect was observed for cutaneous sensitivity to warmth. The results of the present study suggest that sensitivity to cold decreases during the hypoxic exposure due to the effects associated with hypoxia rather than hypocapnia. Such alteration in thermal perception may affect the individual’s perception of thermal comfort and consequently attenuate thermoregulatory behaviour during cold exposure at altitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death, accounting for 7% of all injury-related deaths. This study aimed to examine the spatial clustering in UK drowning incidents. Data were obtained from the Water Incident Database (WAID) (1/1/2012–31/12/19). We examined spatial clustering of intentional and unintentional drownings using a density-based spatial clustering of applications with the noise method (DBSCAN). Intentional and unintentional events were delineated to establish thresholds for cluster identification for moderate, high and very high priority areas respectively, all within a 500-m radius (i.e., 5–7 min walk) of the water network. We identified 2 very high priority (minPts 8), 5 high priority (minPts 6) and 21 moderate priority (minimum points [ minPts ] 4) areas for unintentional drowning. This study also identified 4 very high priority (minPts 16), 16 high priority (minPts 8) and 36 moderate priority (minPts 4) areas for intentional drownings. Our findings serve to identify priority spatial locations, which provide important foundations for drowning prevention interventions. Prevention efforts should now consider the wider determinants of drowning in these areas, including accounting for the evident spatial patterns in drowning events. Our study addresses key priorities of United Nations and World Health Organisation's drowning prevention guidelines. • Examine spatial clustering of intentional and unintentional drownings. • Identify very high priority, high priority and moderate priority locations. • Provide important foundations for drowning prevention intervention. • Inform United Nation and World Health Organisation drowning prevention guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the effect of short-term heat acclimation with permissive dehydration ( STHADe) on heat acclimation ( HA) and cycling performance in a temperate environment. Ten trained male cyclists [mean ( SD) maximal oxygen uptake: 63.3(4.0) mL/kg/min; peak power output ( PPO): 385(40) W; training: 10 (3) h/week] underwent a STHADe program consisting of 5 days of exercise (maximum 90 min/day) in a hot environment (40 °C, 50% RH) to elicit isothermic heat strain [rectal temperature 38.64(0.27) °C]. Participants abstained from fluids during, and 30 min after, HA sessions. Pre- and post- STHADe HA was evaluated during euhydrated fixed-intensity exercise (60 min) in hot conditions; the effect of STHADe on thermoregulation was also examined under temperate conditions (20 min fixed-intensity exercise; 22 °C, 60% RH). Temperate cycling performance was assessed by a graded exercise test ( GXT) and 20-km time trial ( TT). STHADe reduced thermal and cardiovascular strain in hot and temperate environments. Lactate threshold [Δ = 16 (17) W] and GXT PPO [Δ = 6 (7) W] were improved following STHADe ( P < 0.05), but TT performance was not affected ( P > 0.05), although there was a trend for a higher mean power ( P = 0.06). In conclusion, STHADE can reduce thermal and cardiovascular strain under hot and temperate conditions and there is some evidence of ergogenic potential for temperate exercise, but longer HA regimens may be necessary for this to meaningfully influence performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water-based activities may result in the loss of thermal comfort ( TC). We hypothesized that in cooling water, the hands and feet would be responsible. Supine immersions were conducted in up to five clothing conditions (exposing various regions), as well as investigations to determine if a 'reference' skin temperature ( Tsk) distribution in thermoneutral air would help interpret our findings. After 10 min in 34.5 °C water, the temperature was decreased to 19.5 °C over 20 min; eight resting or exercising volunteers reported when they no longer felt comfortable and which region was responsible. TC, rectal temperature, and Tsk were measured. Rather than the extremities, the lower back and chest caused the loss of overall TC. At this point, mean ( SD) chest Tsk was 3.3 (1.7) °C lower than the reference temperature ( P = 0.005), and 3.8 (1.5) °C lower for the back ( P = 0.002). Finger Tsk was 3.1 (2.7) °C higher than the reference temperature ( P = 0.037). In cool and cooling water, hands and feet, already adapted to colder air temperatures, will not cause discomfort. Contrarily, more discomfort may arise from the chest and lower back, as these regions cool by more than normal. Thus, Tsk distribution in thermoneutral air may help understand variations in TC responses across the body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While many people with disabilities and employment service organizations struggle to find jobs and develop strong relationships with businesses, supplemental staffing companies are becoming an important resource for linking qualified applicants with disabilities to competitive employment careers. Yet, there exists a huge disconnect between supplemental staffing companies recruiting qualified applicants to fill client-employer work orders, people with disabilities who are seeking employment, professionals with state rehabilitation agencies and community rehabilitation programs (CRP's) who assist them with their job searches. This article reports on two public/private demonstration projects in Virginia, primarily serving individuals with developmental disabilities. One demonstration project was conducted in an urban setting working exclusively with MANPOWER with the second demonstration site occurring in a rural area with Kelly Services and MANPOWER. The two demonstrations give promise for a public/private collaboration that could increase the employment of people with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]