Heat Strain in Protective Clothing Following Hot-Wet or Hot-Dry Heat Acclimation

1996 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom M. McLellan ◽  
Yukitoshi Aoyagi

The purpose of the present study was to compare the heat strain while wearing nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) protective clothing following a hot-wet (HW) or hot-dry (HD) heat acclimation protocol. Twenty-two males were assigned to groups HW (n = 7), HD (n = 8), or control (C, n = 7). Subjects were evaluated during continuous treadmill walking while wearing lightweight combat clothing and during intermittent exercise while wearing the NBC protective clothing. While wearing Combat clothing, greater decreases in rectal temperature (Tre), mean skin temperature [Formula: see text], and heart rate were observed for both acclimation groups. For the NBC clothing trials, lower Tre, [Formula: see text], and heart rates were observed only for group HW. The time required for Tre to increase 1.0 °C and 1.5 °C was significantly delayed for groups HW and HD. Sweat evaporation increased for HW, whereas no change was found for HD. The most significant changes in Tre, [Formula: see text], and heart rate while wearing the NBC protective clothing occur following heat acclimation that involves wearing the clothing during exercise. Key words: rectal temperature, mean skin temperature, heart rate, sweat rate

1998 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 1731-1739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen S. Cheung ◽  
Tom M. McLellan

—The purpose of the present study was to determine the separate and combined effects of aerobic fitness, short-term heat acclimation, and hypohydration on tolerance during light exercise while wearing nuclear, biological, and chemical protective clothing in the heat (40°C, 30% relative humidity). Men who were moderately fit [(MF); <50 ml ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1maximal O2 consumption; n = 7] and highly fit [(HF); >55 ml ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1maximal O2 consumption; n = 8] were tested while they were euhydrated or hypohydrated by ∼2.5% of body mass through exercise and fluid restriction the day preceding the trials. Tests were conducted before and after 2 wk of daily heat acclimation (1-h treadmill exercise at 40°C, 30% relative humidity, while wearing the nuclear, biological, and chemical protective clothing). Heat acclimation increased sweat rate and decreased skin temperature and rectal temperature (Tre) in HF subjects but had no effect on tolerance time (TT). MF subjects increased sweat rate but did not alter heart rate, Tre, or TT. In both MF and HF groups, hypohydration significantly increased Tre and heart rate and decreased the respiratory exchange ratio and the TT regardless of acclimation state. Overall, the rate of rise of skin temperature was less, while ΔTre, the rate of rise of Tre, and the TT were greater in HF than in MF subjects. It was concluded that exercise-heat tolerance in this uncompensable heat-stress environment is not influenced by short-term heat acclimation but is significantly improved by long-term aerobic fitness.


1975 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 590-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Shvartz ◽  
N. B. Strydom ◽  
H. Kotze

Three groups of subjects (6 subj in each group) underwent the following precedures: group A was given a 20-min head-up tilt at 21 degrees C followed by 4 h of exercise at 33.9 degrees C DB, 32.2 degrees C WB, and a repetition of tilting after exercise in heat; group B underwent the same procedure at 21 degrees C; group C was tilted at 21 degrees C, rested in heat for 4 h and was retilted in heat. The above procedures were repeated for 8 days, and on the last day groups B and C underwent the same treatment as group A. Group A showed the usual decreases in heart rate and rectal temperature and an increase in sweat rate on acclimation. This corresponded to marked improvements in heat-orthostatism. While five subjects in group A fainted during post-exposure tilting on the first exposure, none fainted on the last day. Resting in heat (group C) did not cause any acclimation to work in heat. This corresponded to poor heat-orthostatism after the work-heat procedure when five subjects fainted. Mild training at 21 degrees C (group B) resulted in minor improvements to work in heat as evident by some improvements in heart rate responses after the 1st and 2nd h of exposure. This corresponded to better heat-orthostatism and fewer men fainting than in group C. The results indicated that heat-orthostatism improves on acclimation to the same extent as exercise heart rate and rectal temperature.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 847-850
Author(s):  
Yasuki Sekiguchi ◽  
Erica M. Filep ◽  
Courteney L. Benjamin ◽  
Douglas J. Casa ◽  
Lindsay J. DiStefano

Clinical Scenario: Exercise in the heat can lead to performance decrements and increase the risk of heat illness. Heat acclimation refers to the systematic and gradual increase in exercise in a controlled, laboratory environment. Increased duration and intensity of exercise in the heat positively affects physiological responses, such as higher sweat rate, plasma volume expansion, decreased heart rate, and lower internal body temperature. Many heat acclimation studies have examined the hydration status of the subjects exercising in the heat. Some of the physiological responses that are desired to elicit heat acclimation (ie, higher heart rate and internal body temperature) are exacerbated in a dehydrated state. Thus, euhydration (optimal hydration) and dehydration trials during heat acclimation induction have been conducted to determine if there are additional benefits to dehydrated exercise trials on physiological adaptations. However, there is still much debate over hydration status and its effect on heat acclimation. Clinical Question: Does dehydration affect the adaptations of plasma volume, heart rate, internal body temperature, skin temperature, and sweat rate during the induction phase of heat acclimation? Summary of Findings: There were no observed differences in plasma volume, internal body temperature, and skin temperature following heat acclimation in this critically appraised topic. One study found an increase in sweat rate and another study indicated greater changes in heart rate following heat acclimation with dehydration. Aside from these findings, all 4 trials did not observe statistically significant differences in euhydrated and dehydrated heat acclimation trials. Clinical Bottom Line: There is minimal evidence to suggest that hydration status affects heat acclimation induction. In the studies that met the inclusion criteria, there were no differences in plasma volume concentrations, internal body temperature, and skin temperature. Strength of Recommendation: Based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Scale, Level 2 evidence exists.


1965 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. H. Wyndham

The response characteristics have been studied of the curves relating heat conductance and sweat rate to change in rectal temperature at different levels of skin temperature, and vice versa. The increase in these responses with deviation in rectal temperature from the “neutral” setting is highly nonlinear; the neutral point and the curve shift to the right and the slope decreases with lowering of skin temperature and vice versa when it is raised. With further deviation of rectal temperature these responses reach maximum values, i.e., become “saturated.” All of these features are analogous to servomechanisms with negative feedback, giving sensitive and stable control. Control of these responses by skin temperature is more linear, characterizing passive control systems which are insensitive and less stable. Quantitatively, the effect at skin temperature of 26 C of 1 C rise in rectal temperature on heat conductance and sweat rate is 10 times greater than the same rise in skin temperature; at a neutral skin temperature of 33–34 C, a rise of 1 C in rectal temperature is 6–7 times greater; at a high skin temperature of 36 C, a rise in rectal temperature of 1 C is 4–5 times greater. relationship between heat conductance and a change in either rectal or skin temperatures; relationship between sweat rate and a change in either rectal or skin temperatures; response characteristics of curves relating heat conductance to change in either rectal or skin temperatures; response characteristics of curves relating sweat rate to change in either rectal or skin temperatures; assessment of the contribution of skin and rectal temperatures to man's temperature regulation Submitted on October 22, 1963


1998 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason W. Daniels ◽  
Paul A. Molé ◽  
James D. Shaffrath ◽  
Charles L. Stebbins

This study examined the acute effects of caffeine on the cardiovascular system during dynamic leg exercise. Ten trained, caffeine-naive cyclists (7 women and 3 men) were studied at rest and during bicycle ergometry before and after the ingestion of 6 mg/kg caffeine or 6 mg/kg fructose (placebo) with 250 ml of water. After consumption of caffeine or placebo, subjects either rested for 100 min (rest protocol) or rested for 45 min followed by 55 min of cycle ergometry at 65% of maximal oxygen consumption (exercise protocol). Measurement of mean arterial pressure (MAP), forearm blood flow (FBF), heart rate, skin temperature, and rectal temperature and calculation of forearm vascular conductance (FVC) were made at baseline and at 20-min intervals. Plasma ANG II was measured at baseline and at 60 min postingestion in the two exercise protocols. Before exercise, caffeine increased both systolic blood pressure (17%) and MAP (11%) without affecting FBF or FVC. During dynamic exercise, caffeine attenuated the increase in FBF (53%) and FVC (50%) and accentuated exercise-induced increases in ANG II (44%). Systolic blood pressure and MAP were also higher during exercise plus caffeine; however, these increases were secondary to the effects of caffeine on resting blood pressure. No significant differences were observed in heart rate, skin temperature, or rectal temperature. These findings indicate that caffeine can alter the cardiovascular response to dynamic exercise in a manner that may modify regional blood flow and conductance.


1975 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 457-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. M. Haymes ◽  
R. J. McCormick ◽  
E. R. Buskirk

Seven lean and five obese boys, aged 9–12 yr, exercised in four environments: 21.1, 26.7, 29.4, and 32.2 degrees C Teff. Subjects walked on a treadmill at 4.8 km/h, 5% grade for three 20-min exercise bouts separated by 5-min rest periods. Rectal temperature (Tre), skin temperature (Tsk), heart rate (HR), sweat rate, and oxygen uptake (VO2) were measured periodically throughout the session. Lean boys had lower Tre and HR than obese boys in each of the environments. Increases in Tre were significantly greater for the obese at 26.7 and 29.4 degrees C Teff. No significant differences in Tsk and sweat rate (g-m-2-h-1) were observed between lean and obese boys. Obese boys had significantly lower oxygen consumptions per kg but worked at a significantly higher percentage of VO2max than lean boys when performing submaximal work. Responses of the obese boys to exercise in the heat were similar to those of heavy prepubertal girls studied previously, except that the boys were more tolerant of exercise at 32.2 degrees C Teff than the girls. Lean boys had lower HR than lean girls in each environment, but lower Tre only at 32.2 degrees C Teff.


1981 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 774-778
Author(s):  
Alex Loewenthal ◽  
David J. Cochran ◽  
Michael W. Riley

Nine fully acclimatized men falling in the lean, medium and obese categories of body composition were observed during heat exposure periods for four days following acclimatization decay periods of various lengths in order to determine the effects of body composition on the decay and reinduction of acclimatization. The physiological variables taken into consideration were core temperature, “DuBois” mean skin temperature, heart rate, weight loss due to perspiration and the temperature differential between the core and surface. All of the men were subjected to an acclimatization schedule of twelve daily sessions in order to insure that they were all fully acclimatized. Three decay, or non-exposure, periods of four, eight and twelve days were each followed by four days of reinduction. It was determined that body composition does not affect the rate of decay or reinduction of acclimatization, although this parameter as well as the extent of decay and the duration of the reinduction period does affect the physiological variables monitored in this study.


2017 ◽  
Vol 312 (1) ◽  
pp. R101-R107 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Racinais ◽  
M. G. Wilson ◽  
J. D. Périard

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of repeated passive heat exposure (i.e., acclimation) on muscle contractility in humans. Fourteen nonheat-acclimated males completed two trials including electrically evoked twitches and voluntary contractions in thermoneutral conditions [Cool: 24°C, 40% relative humidity (RH)] and hot ambient conditions in the hyperthermic state (Hot: 44–50°C, 50% RH) on consecutive days in a counterbalanced order. Rectal temperature was ~36.5°C in Cool and was maintained at ~39°C throughout Hot. Both trials were repeated after 11 days of passive heat acclimation (1 h per day, 48–50°C, 50% RH). Heat acclimation decreased core temperature in Cool (−0.2°C, P < 0.05), increased the time required to reach 39°C in Hot (+9 min, P < 0.05) and increased sweat rate in Hot (+0.7 liter/h, P < 0.05). Moreover, passive heat acclimation improved skeletal muscle contractility as evidenced by an increase in evoked peak twitch amplitude both in Cool (20.5 ± 3.6 vs. 22.0 ± 4.0 N·m) and Hot (20.5 ± 4.7 vs. 22.0 ± 4.0 N·m) (+9%, P < 0.05). Maximal voluntary torque production was also increased both in Cool (145 ± 42 vs. 161 ± 36 N·m) and Hot (125 ± 36 vs. 145 ± 30 N·m) (+17%, P < 0.05), despite voluntary activation remaining unchanged. Furthermore, the slope of the relative torque/electromyographic linear relationship was improved postacclimation ( P < 0.05). These adjustments demonstrate that passive heat acclimation improves skeletal muscle contractile function during electrically evoked and voluntary muscle contractions of different intensities both in Cool and Hot. These results suggest that repeated heat exposure may have important implications to passively maintain or even improve muscle function in a variety of performance and clinical settings.


2005 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 829-837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshi-Ichiro Kamijo ◽  
Kichang Lee ◽  
Gary W. Mack

The role of skin temperature in reflex control of the active cutaneous vasodilator system was examined in six subjects during mild graded heat stress imposed by perfusing water at 34, 36, 38, and 40°C through a tube-lined garment. Skin sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA) was recorded from the peroneal nerve with microneurography. While monitoring esophageal, mean skin, and local skin temperatures, we recorded skin blood flow at bretylium-treated and untreated skin sites by using laser-Doppler velocimetry and local sweat rate by using capacitance hygrometry on the dorsal foot. Cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was calculated by dividing skin blood flow by mean arterial pressure. Mild heat stress increased mean skin temperature by 0.2 or 0.3°C every stage, but esophageal and local skin temperature did not change during the first three stages. CVC at the bretylium tosylate-treated site (CVCBT) and sweat expulsion number increased at 38 and 40°C compared with 34°C ( P < 0.05); however, CVC at the untreated site did not change. SSNA increased at 40°C ( P < 0.05, different from 34°C). However, SSNA burst amplitude increased ( P < 0.05), whereas SSNA burst duration decreased ( P < 0.05), at the same time as we observed the increase in CVCBT and sweat expulsion number. These data support the hypothesis that the active vasodilator system is activated by changes in mean skin temperature, even at normal core temperature, and illustrate the intricate competition between active vasodilator and the vasoconstrictor system for control of skin blood flow during mild heat stress.


1959 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Bianca

1. Three calves were exposed in a climatic room to an environment of 40° C. dry-bulb and 38° C. wet-bulb temperature for up to 110 min. each day for 1-2 weeks.2. These exposures produced progressive changes in the physiological reactions of the animals to heat:(a) Rectal temperature and skin temperature (for a given time of exposure) declined. In consequence there was a marked increase in the tolerance time, i.e. in the time for which the animals could withstand the hot environment before reaching a rectal temperature of 42° C.(b) Respiratory rate rose earlier and assumed higher levels (for given levels of body temperature).(c) Heart rate decreased markedly.3. These changes are discussed in relation to heat loss and heat production and have been interpreted as reflecting chiefly a reduction in the metabolic heat production of the animals.


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