Effect of cooling on static postural balance while wearing firefighter's protective clothing in a hot environment.

Postural imbalance can result from hyperthermia-mediated muscular fatigue and is a major factor contributing to injuries from falling. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of exercise-induced hyperthermia and the impact of cooling on postural balance while wearing firefighters' protective clothing (FPC) in a hot environment. A portable force platform measured postural balance characterized by postural sway patterns using center of pressure metrics.

Probability of hyperthermia in a hot environment while wearing a liquid cooling garment underneath firefighters' protective clothing.

Firefighters' protective clothing (FPC) can limit human thermoregulation due to limited water vapor permeability and insulation. This study investigated the effect of cooling on the physiological responses and probability of hyperthermia in subjects wearing FPC during exercise in a hot environment. Twelve males participated in this study.

Effect of continuous cooling on inhibition and attention while wearing firefighter's PPE in a hot environment.

Firefighting is physically and mentally strenuous, requiring rapid, appropriate decision-making in hot environments. Intact cognitive function is imperative to firefighters' effectiveness and safety. The study purpose was to investigate the effect of hyperthermia and the effect of body cooling on sustained attention and response inhibition while wearing firefighters' personal protective ensembles after exercise in a hot environment.

Using trunk posture to monitor heat strain at work.

This study aimed to determine if trunk posture during walking is related to increases in rectal temperature (T). 24 males treadmill walked in one of four conditions (1): 30 min at 3.0 mph and 0% grade, 20 °C and 50% relative humidity (RH), wearing healthcare worker (HCW) PPE; (2): 30 min at 3.

Umbilical temperature correlation with core and skin temperatures at rest, in the heat and during physical activity.

Purpose: to determine the correlation of umbilical temperatures (T) with simultaneously recorded chest wall temperature (T) and rectal temperature (T) in adults during rest, heat exposure and exercise.

Methods: A total of 28 healthy men, wearing different types of clothing (athletic garb, a spandex full body heating garment, firefighter bunker gear) had average and peak umbilical, chest wall and rectal temperature measurements taken during sedentary temperature stabilisation stages, heat exposure periods and active exercise phases.

Results: Curvilinear relationships were noted between T and T compared with T and their association became noticeably positive and linear at approximately 35.