COMPENSATORY AND ADAPTIVE BODY REACTIONS ON SHUTTLE TRAVEL FROM AND TO THE ARCTIC

Abstract

Introduction: Effectiveness of compensatory mechanisms in adapting to environmental conditions is an important area for research in the field of human physiology yielding controversial results Aim: To study adaptation of respiratory and cardiovascular systems of men to shuttle travels between the Arctic and Central Russia. Methods: Two groups of geologists each consisting of 35 individuals comprised the sample. The complex investigation of functional systems (FS) activity was performed in Central Russia and after 2 years of work in the Arctic Data on minute respiratory volume, hemodynamic parameters and, morphofunctional features of blood were studied. Results: We observed two types of adaptation to unfavorable conditions of the North - the breathing type and the cardiovascular type of adaptation to provide adequate body supply with oxygen. In comparison with the reference values measured in Central Russia there was an increase in respiratory minute volume by 20.6 % in the breathing adaptation type group and by 19.6 % in the cardiovascular type adaptation group. Average concentration of hemoglobin increased by 1.50 and 1.85, but the difference was not significant. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that adaptation to the harsh conditions of the Arctic may occur either via mainly respiratory or mainly cardiovascular mechanisms