NON-­SPECIFIC NON­-MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES TO INSCREASE HUMAN RESISTANCE TO HYPOTHERMIA

The aim of the study is to compare the results of using innovative normobaric hypoxic training to increase individual's resistance to exogenous hypothermia. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was performed using two groups of men aged 22-34 years. Group 1 (n=9) was exposed to argon-hypoxic training consisting of a 2-hour continuous stay of the test subjects in a gas environment with the composition: Ar 33 % vol., 02 12 % vol., N2 55 %. Group 2 (n=9) was exposed to a normobaric hypoxic training: a 2-hour continuous stay in a nitrogen-containing gas environment, the oxygen content of which decreased from 17 % vol. (1st session) up to 13 % vol. (5th session), after which the composition of the gas environment was not changed. The total number of sessions- 20 conducted daily or after 1-2 days. Training schedules were identical in the two groups. Hypothermic resistance of the subjects was evaluated using 3-minute standard aerocryothermic tests. The activity of the mechanisms of nonspecific protection of the subjects was evaluated by the indicator of serum fibronectin. Results: An improved resistance to hypothermia was observed in both groups. The changes were more pronounced in Group 1. So, with the best subjective resistance to hypothermia exposures in group 1 (p = 0.010-0.014), rectal temperature decrease (p = 0.019) was significantly greater in group 1 than in group 2. Hypereactivity of systemic circulation indicators decreased in Group 1 to a greater extent (p = 0.010-0.038). In addition, with a significant increase in the level of fibronectin in both groups, these changes were significantly (p = 0.014) more pronounced in Group 1. Conclusions: Normobaric hypoxic training in the original regime is a safe and effective method of increasing human resistance to hypothermia. The effectiveness of this method can be improved by conducting argon-hypoxic training developed by the authors.