Body reactions during chain saw work.

Body reactions during chain saw work were studied in 14 subjects. The subjects divided into three groups (control, sulpiride, and propranolol) successively cut down logs with a chain saw for seven minutes. The start of the sawing led to a pronounced increase in heart rate which persisted during the sawing. The groups taking sulpiride and propranolol showed a smaller increase in heart rate compared with the controls. Hormonal values (adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, adrenaline (Ad), noradrenaline (NA), and dopamine) were increased by the operation. A comparison of these values before and after the operation showed that the increase of cortisol, Ad, and NA values was highest in the controls, intermediate in the propranolol group, and lowest in the sulpiride group. The increase in ACTH, however, was greatest in the sulpiride group, intermediate in the controls and correct in the propranolol group. These findings provide some evidence that chain saw work may have an influence on the whole body, including the hypothalamus and the limbic lobe of the brain.