Key result
Combat and blast exposure were associated with blunted electrodermal activity patterns during acute exercise stress compared to low or nonexposed counterparts.
Why the study?
To determine whether combat and blast exposure modulate the electrodermal activity response, an indicator of central sympathetic activation, to acute exercise stress in specialised military men.
Does combat and blast exposure blunt the sympathetic response (measured by EDA) to acute exercise stress in specialized military men?
Observational (n=51)
Does combat and blast exposure blunt the sympathetic response (measured by EDA) to acute exercise stress in specialized military men?
Combat and blast exposure are associated with a blunted sympathetic nervous system response to acute exercise stress in military personnel.
Combat/blast-exposed military men showed blunted EDA responses to exercise; leaves open whether this signals sub-optimal SNS function or adaptive resilience.
Electrodermal activity (EDA)-a measure of electrical skin conductance reflecting (exclusive) sympathetic control of the eccrine sweat gland-holds promise as an indicator of central sympathetic activation. The aim of this study was to determine whether combat and blast exposure modulate the EDA response to acute exercise stress in specialised military men. Fifty-one men (age M = 36.1, SD = 6.5) participated in this study as part of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operational Health Surveillance System. The EDA complex (i.e., tonic + phasic conductance) was continuously measured throughout a maximal effort, graded exercise test. As expected, exercise stress resulted in measurable, stepwise increases in EDA before tapering at higher exercise intensities. Individuals with more substantial combat exposure and those with blast exposure demonstrated blunted EDA patterns in comparison to their low/nonexposed counterparts. This blunted pattern might imply sub-optimal sympathetic nervous system function in the exposed cohorts and enhances our knowledge of factors influencing resilience in these men.
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Taylor et al. (2021) conducted an observational in Specialised military men (n=51). Combat and blast exposure vs. Low or nonexposed counterparts was evaluated on Electrodermal activity (EDA) response to acute exercise stress. Combat and blast exposure were associated with blunted electrodermal activity patterns during acute exercise stress compared to low or nonexposed counterparts.
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