Running Head: Effects of Cold Exposure on Wave Reflection Address for Correspondence:

D ow nloaded from JAP-01154-2005.R1 2 The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of acute cold exposure on the timing and amplitude of central aortic wave reflection and central pressure. We hypothesized that cold exposure would result in an early return of reflected pressure waves from the periphery and an increase in central aortic systolic pressure as a result of cold induced vasoconstriction. Twelve apparently healthy men (age 27.8 ± 2.0 years) were studied at random, in either temperate (24°C) or cold (4°C) conditions. Measurements of brachial artery blood pressure and the synthesis of a central aortic pressure waveform (by noninvasive radial artery applanation tonometry and use of a generalized transfer) were conducted a