The Effects of Body Cooling Strategies on Physiological and Performance Outcomes During Simulated Occupational Work in the Heat.

Abstract

Background: Body cooling is a low-cost heat strain mitigation strategy to effectively reduce heat strain and enhance work performance. However, data on the efficacy of body cooling strategies remains limited. We aimed to examine the effects of body cooling with cooling garments on physiological, perceptual, and performance outcomes during simulated work in the heat in men and women.

Methods: Fourteen physically active participants (seven men and seven women; age: 26 ± 3 years, peak oxygen consumption [VO₂peak]: 42.7 ± 7.9 mL kg^-1 min^-1) completed two randomized control trials in a hot, humid environment (40°C, 40% relative humidity). During the body cooling trial (COOL), participants wore cooling garments (hat, sleeves, neck gaiter), and large cooling towels during rest breaks. There was no cooling intervention in the control trial (CON). Rectal temperature (T_REC), skin temperature (T_SK), and heart rate (HR) were measured continuously. Performance outcomes included the number of boxes lifted during the trial (BOX) and the time to complete 25 repetitions (TT25) post-trial.

Results: There was a significant interaction between trial and activity with COOL reporting overall lower T_REC (CON: 38.40 ± 0.46°C; COOL: 38.08 ± 0.31°C; p < 0.001), T_SK (CON: 37.20 ± 0.72°C; COOL: 35.52 ± 1.52°C; p < 0.001), and HR (CON: 145 ± 17 bpm; COOL: 133 ± 24 bpm; p < 0.001). There was a significant interaction between the number of boxes lifted and trial during BOX 1 and 3 (BOX 1: p = 0.010; BOX 3: p = 0.001). Significant differences between mean TT25 (CON: 169 ± 34 s; COOL: 149 ± 32 s; p = 0.011) were reported between trials.

Conclusion: Body cooling garments reduced physiological responses while improving performance during simulated work in heat and should be considered an effective, low-cost strategy to protect laborers from heat strain.