The physiological responses of heart rate, oxygen consumption, sweat loss, rectal temperature and mean skin temperature were monitored as eight well-conditioned young adult males were exposed to effective temperatures of 70°F, 80°F and 90°F. The body fat contents of the subjects ranged from 11.3% to 34%. The subjects pedalled a 300 kilopond meters/minute load on a bicycle ergometer for 25 minutes. Results indicate that body fat or the percent of body fat squared have a statistically significant effect on the dependent variables of oxygen consumption/lean body weight, change in heart rate, core-skin temperature gradient, and oxygen consumption/maximum oxygen consumption.
Obesity is an increasing problem across the globe that has been strongly associated with work-related injury. One-handed carrying is considered one of the most fatiguing methods of load carrying. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of obesity and load magnitude on heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion among young adult males during one-handed carrying. Load magnitude was observed to have a statistically significantly effect on heart rate and perceived exertion of the arm, back and whole body, whereas obesity was significant only for perceived exertion of the arm. The results suggest that young adult obese males can carry similar loads as young adult non-obese males without having a statistically significant increase in heart rate or perceived exertion. However, more research is needed to validate these results for longer distances and carrying times.
Prediction of Core Body Temperature Based on Skin Temperature, Heat Flux, and Heart Rate Under Different Exercise and Clothing Conditions in the Heat in Young Adult Males