Effect of cold immersion on grip force, EMG, and thermal discomfort

This study has investigated the effect of gender, cold and warm immersion on hand skin temperature, grip MVC, EMG, and discomfort. In this study, twelve male and twelve female participants immersed their hands in a cold water tank for 40 min followed by warm water immersion for 15 min, during which all performance measures were collected. Structural equation model was applied to examine relationship among skin temperature, gender, anthropometrics, and MVC. The results indicate that the cold immersion had an enormous effect on skin temperature, which subsequently affected the MVC. Gender had significant impact on skin temperature and MVC, and MVC was also affected by palm length. Due to adaptation, participants experienced greater discomfort at the beginning of the cold immersion and the discomfort diminished after 4 min. During warm immersion, the EMG resumed its baseline after 15 min which indicates that the muscle performance was fully recovered after 15 min of warm immersion.Relevance to industryStatement indicating the relevance of the findings for ergonomics practice.Performance of the workers exposed to different temperature conditions is a common problem in industries. This study was designed to test the MVC, EMG, thermal discomfort sensation and hand skin temperature response to cold and warm immersion of the human forearm. The result can help to protect workers who work in cold immersion occupations such as fisherman, fish filleters, and divers.

► Gender and sustained cooling and warming have significant effects on grip force, EMG, and discomfort.
► A structural equation models the relationships between skin temperature, gender, anthropometrics, and MVC.
► Cold adaptation ceased the perceived discomfort even when the hand skin temperature declined further.