Ice vests extend physiological work time while wearing explosive ordnance disposal protective clothing in hot and humid conditions

IF 3.1 2区工程技术 Q2 ENGINEERING, INDUSTRIAL

Applied Ergonomics Pub Date : 2024-09-20 DOI:10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104388

Kate P. Hutchins , Matthew J. Maley , Aaron J.E. Bach , Kelly L. Stewart , Geoffrey M. Minett , Ian B. Stewart

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians may be required to work in hot, humid environments while wearing heavy protective clothing. We investigated the ability of an ice vest to attenuate physiological strain and subsequently extend work tolerance.

Methods

Eight male participants (24.3 ± 4.1 yr, 51.9 ± 4.6 mL kg⁻¹ min⁻¹) walked (4.5 km h⁻¹) in simulated hot and humid conditions (35 °C; 50% relative humidity). Participants wore either an EOD suit (CON) or EOD and ice vest (IV). Heart rate, core and skin temperature were recorded continuously.

Results

Participants walked longer in IV compared to CON (8.1 ± 7.4 min, p < .05). Over 90% of trials were terminated based on participants reaching 90% of their maximum heart rate. IV resulted in cooled skin (p < .001) and a physiologically negligible change in core temperature (p < .001). A condition by time interaction was identified for heart rate (p < .001), with a lower rate of rise in the IV condition.

Conclusions

The cardiovascular inefficiency that limited performance was attenuated in the IV condition. The ice vest facilitated heat loss from the periphery; thus, the observed reduction in heart rate may reflect the preservation of central blood volume. The results identify the efficiency of a simple, inexpensive ice vest to assist EOD technicians working in the heat.

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在湿热条件下穿着爆炸物处理防护服时，冰背心可延长生理工作时间

背景爆炸物处理（EOD）技术人员可能需要穿着厚重的防护服在炎热潮湿的环境中工作。方法八名男性参与者（24.3 ± 4.1 岁，51.9 ± 4.6 mL kg-1 min-1）在模拟湿热环境（35 °C；50% 相对湿度）中步行（4.5 km h-1）。参与者穿着排毒服（CON）或排毒和冰背心（IV）。连续记录心率、核心温度和皮肤温度。结果与穿防爆衣的人相比，穿防爆衣的人步行时间更长（8.1 ± 7.4 分钟，p < .05）。超过 90% 的试验因参与者达到最大心率的 90% 而终止。静脉注射导致皮肤冷却（p <.001），核心温度的生理变化可忽略不计（p <.001）。心率存在条件与时间的交互作用（p <.001），静脉注射条件下的心率上升率较低。冰背心促进了外周热量的散失；因此，观察到的心率降低可能反映了中心血容量的保持。研究结果表明，一件简单、廉价的冰背心可以有效地帮助排爆技术人员在高温下工作。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Applied Ergonomics 工程技术-工程：工业

CiteScore

7.50

自引率

9.40%

发文量

248

审稿时长

53 days

期刊介绍： Applied Ergonomics is aimed at ergonomists and all those interested in applying ergonomics/human factors in the design, planning and management of technical and social systems at work or leisure. Readership is truly international with subscribers in over 50 countries. Professionals for whom Applied Ergonomics is of interest include: ergonomists, designers, industrial engineers, health and safety specialists, systems engineers, design engineers, organizational psychologists, occupational health specialists and human-computer interaction specialists.