Characterization of Corticospinal Excitability During Progressive Skin Cooling

Cold stress is known to impair both fine and gross motor movement. Reductions in performance may have life threatening consequences in survival situations where maintenance of muscle control is necessary. Much of the effects cooling has on muscle performance is directly due to its effects on muscle tissue itself, whereas less is known about the effects on the central nervous system. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to characterize corticospinal excitability that accompanies basic cold stress via progressive skin cooling, resulting in reductions in skin (Tsk) or core (Tco) temperature and shivering.