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.

中文翻译：

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战斗和爆炸暴露会减弱特种军人对急性运动压力的交感反应

皮肤电活动 (EDA)——一种反映（排他的）外分泌汗腺交感神经控制的皮肤电导测量——有望作为中枢交感神经激活的指标。本研究的目的是确定战斗和爆炸暴露是否会调节专业军人对急性运动压力的 EDA 反应。51 名男性（年龄M  = 36.1，SD = 6.5) 作为爆炸物处理业务健康监测系统的一部分参与了这项研究。EDA 复合体（即强直 + 相位电导）在最大努力、分级运动测试中连续测量。正如预期的那样，运动压力会导致 EDA 的可测量的逐步增加，然后在更高的运动强度下逐渐减少。与低/未暴露的对应物相比，具有更多战斗暴露和爆炸暴露的个体表现出钝化的 EDA 模式。这种迟钝的模式可能意味着暴露人群中的交感神经系统功能欠佳，并增强了我们对影响这些男性恢复力的因素的认识。