Expo 07 Research Projects
• Microclimate research project– led by Aaron Curtis (speaking)
• Caver stress study– led by Djuke Veldhuis (speaking)
• Radon detector project– led by Mark Dougherty (unable to attend)
2007 CUCC Expedition to Austria
BCRA conference September 2007
Presented by:
Djuke Veldhuis
SPIT HAPPENS !!!
Background
The interconnected fields on which this research is built …
● Human evolution & adaptation
● Psychoneuroimmunology
● Genetics
● Ethnography
● Psychology
What’s happening?Adrenaline and noradrenaline are released into the bloodstream from the adrenal medulla. Cortisol is the other key hormone released from a portion of the adrenal glands called the adrenal cortex. Together, these hormones flood every cell in the body with the specific message to prepare for fight-or-flight.
Increased (CNS) activity - Immune system is suppressed Increased mental activity -Sweat glands increase secretion Increased output of blood cholesterol -Reproductive and sexual systems stop working Increased heart rate Increased cardiac output -Bowel and Bladder sphincter close Increased blood pressure - Kidneys decrease output Increased breathing rate - Decreased perception of pain Breathing airways dilate -Saliva dries up Increased metabolism - Excretory system turns off Increased oxygen consumption - Digestive system stops metabolizing food normally Increased oxygen to the brain Blood is shunted away from the digestive tract and directed into the muscles and limbs Increased muscle contraction which leads to increased strength Increased blood coagulation (blood clotting ability) Increased circulation of free fatty acids Increased blood sugar released by the liver to nourish the muscles Release of endorphins from the pituitary gland Pupils of the eyes dilateCapillaries under the surface of the skin constrict (which consequently increases blood pressure)Blood thinsHair stands on end
Effects of chronic stressProblems of chronic stress & elevated stress hormones
Key functional disorders associated with chronic high levels of stress (adapted from Brown, 1981).
Acne Eczema
Arthritis Glaucoma
Asthma Gout
Cardiovascular disease
Hypertension
Constipation Hyperthyroidism
Diarrhoea Kidney liver disease
Duodenal ulcers Malignant neoplasms
Vascular headaches Stomach ulcers
Vasomotor rhinitis.
• Social stress fellow cavers!• Novelty of living conditions• Cave environment temperature, water levels etc.• Relative perception e.g. fear of heights + 100m pitch• Length, duration, difficulty of trip.
Sources of stress?
CHRONICITY, DURATION, INTENSITY, CONTROLLABILITY, PREDICTAB ILITY.
Data collection
Baseline samplesGiven at home in ‘normal’ environment :
1st sample: at time of awakening (time recorded)2nd sample: 30 minutes later3rd sample: 10.00 hrs4th sample: 14.00 hrs (‘afternoon’)5th sample: 20.00 hrs (‘evening’)
Austria Samples
1st sample: 10.00 hrs (time of awakening recorded—’waking’)2nd sample: 14.00 hrs (‘afternoon’)3rd sample: 20.00 hrs (‘evening’)
Also collected were ‘ad hoc’ samples to be given during periods of rapid emotional / physiological change.
Questionnaires The questionnaires were designed to give a ‘context’ to the
physiological (cortisol) measures.
•Personality questionnaires e.g.
• Demographic (e.g. age, nationality, level of caving experience)
• General health / happiness questionnaire e.g.
• Medical background