The Effect of Extreme Cold on Complete Blood Count and Biochemical Indicators: A Case Study

Aneta Teległów, Valerjan Romanovski, Beata Skowron, Dawid Mucha, Łukasz Tota, Joanna Rosińczuk and Dariusz Mucha
Additional contact information
Aneta Teległów: Department of Rehabilitation in Internal Diseases, Institute of Clinical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Motor Rehabilitation, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Krakow, Poland
Valerjan Romanovski: Non-Governmental Organization and Association Oswajamy Żywioły, 25-607 Kielce, Poland
Beata Skowron: Medical Department Diagnostyka S.A., 31-864 Krakow, Poland
Dawid Mucha: Institute of Health Sciences, Podhale State College of Applied Science in Nowy Targ, 34-400 Nowy Targ, Poland
Łukasz Tota: Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Krakow, Poland
Joanna Rosińczuk: Department of Nursing and Obstetrics, Division of Internal Medicine Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wroclaw Medical University, 51-618 Wroclaw, Poland
Dariusz Mucha: Department of Biological Regeneration and Correction of Posture Defects, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Krakow, Poland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 19, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Regular exposure to a cold factor—cold water swimming or ice swimming and cold air—results in an increased tolerance to cold due to numerous adaptive mechanisms in humans. Due to the lack of scientific reports on the effects of extremely low outdoor temperatures on the functioning of the human circulatory system, the aim of this study was to evaluate complete blood count and biochemical blood indices in multiple Guinness world record holder Valerjan Romanovski, who was exposed to extremely cold environment from −5 °C to −37 °C for 50 days in Rovaniemi (a city in northern Finland). Valerjan Romanovski proved that humans can function in extremely cold temperatures. Blood from the subject was collected before and after the expedition. The subject was found to have abnormalities for the following blood indices: testosterone increases by 60.14%, RBC decreases by 4.01%, HGB decreases by 3.47%, WBC decreases by 21.53%, neutrocytes decrease by 17.31%, PDW increases by 5.31%, AspAT increases by 52.81%, AlAT increase by 68.75%, CK increases by 8.61%, total cholesterol decreases by 5.88%, HDL increases by 28.18%. Percentage changes in other complete blood count and biochemical indices were within standard limits. Long-term exposure of the subject (50 days) to extreme cold stress had no noticeable negative effect on daily functioning.

Keywords: cold air; cold water swimming; extreme environment; complete blood count; biochemical profile (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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