scholarly journals The influence of the passive evaporative cooling vest on a chemical industry workers and physiological strain level in hot conditions

2015 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 587-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radovan Karkalic ◽  
Dalibor Jovanovic ◽  
Sonja Radakovic ◽  
Dusan Rajic ◽  
Biljana Petrovic ◽  
...  

The present study was conducted in order to evaluate efficiency of a personal body cooling system based on passive evaporative technologies and its effects on test subjects psycho-physiological suitability during exertional heat stress in hot environment. Performed results are based on conducted tests in climatic chamber in the Military Medical Academy Institute of Hygiene in Belgrade. Ten male test subjects were subjected to exertional heat stress test consisted of walking on motorized treadmill at a speed of 5 km/h in hot environment. Tests were performed with and without cooling system. As a physiological strain indicator the following parameters have been determined: mean skin temperature, tympanic temperature, heart rate and sweat rate. Results confirmed that cooling vest worn over the clothes was able to attenuate the physiological strain levels during exercise, when compared to identical exposure without the cooling system.

2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalibor Jovanovic ◽  
Radovan Karkalic ◽  
Snjezana Zeba ◽  
Miroslav Pavlovic ◽  
Sonja Radakovic

Background/Aim. In military services, emergency situations when soldiers are exposed to a combination of nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) contamination combined with heat stress, are frequent and complex. In these specific conditions, usage of personal body cooling systems may be effective in reducing heat stress. The present study was conducted in order to evaluate the efficiency of four various types of contemporary personal body cooling systems based on the ?Phase Change Material? (PCM), and its effects on soldiers? subjective comfort and physiological performance during exertional heat stress in hot environments. Methods. Ten male soldiers were voluntarily subjected to exertional heat stress tests (EHSTs) consisted of walking on a treadmill (5.5 km/h) in hot conditions (40?C) in climatic chamber, wearing NBC isolating impermeable protective suits. One of the tests was performed without any additional cooling solution (NOCOOL), and four tests were performed while using different types of cooling systems: three in a form of vests and one as underwear. Physiological strain was determined by the mean skin temperature (Tsk), tympanic temperature (Tty), and heart rate values (HR), while sweat rates (SwR) indicated changes in hydration status. Results. In all the cases EHST induced physiological response manifested through increasing Tty, HR and SwR. Compared to NOCOOL tests, when using cooling vests, Tty and Tsk were significantly lower (on 35th min, for 0.44 ? 0.03 and 0.49 ? 0.05?C, respectively; p < 0.05), as well as the average SwR (0.17 ? 0.03 L/m2/h). When using underwear, the values of given parameters were not significantly different compared to NOCOOL tests. Conclusions. Using a body cooling system based on PCM in the form of vest under NBC protective clothes during physical activity in hot conditions, reduces sweating and alleviates heat stress manifested by increased core and skin temperatures and heart rate values. These effects directly improve heat tolerance, hydration state, decrease in the risk of heat illness, and extends the duration of soldiers? exposure to extreme conditions.


2021 ◽  
pp. 99-99
Author(s):  
Sinisa Masic ◽  
Sonja Marjanovic ◽  
Jelena Maric ◽  
Vanja Jovanovic ◽  
Mirjana Joksimovic ◽  
...  

Background/Aim. The risk assessment of heat illness and fatigue development is very important in military services. the aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between heat storage and various psychophysiological parameters of heat stress, as well as potential peripheral markers of fatigue in soldiers performing exertional heat stress test. Methods. 15 young, healthy and unacclimatized men underwent exertional heat stress test (EHST) with submaximal work load in warm conditions (WBGT 29 ?C) in climatic chamber. Every 5 minutes following parameters of thermotolerance were measured or calculated: core temperature (Tc), mean skin (Tsk) and body temperature (Tb), heart rate (HR), heat storage (HS), physiological strain index (PSI), as well as peripheral markers of fatigue (blood concentrations of ammonia, urea nitrogen (BUN), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cortisol and prolactin) and subjective parameters: thermal sensation (TS) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE). Results. Tolerance time varied from 45-75 minutes (63?7,7 min). Average values of Tc, Tb, and HR constantly increased during EHST, while Tsk after 10 minutes reached the plateau. Concentrations of all investigated peripheral markers of fatigue were significantly higher after EHST compared to baseline levels (31,47?7,29 vs. 11,8?1,11 ?mol/l for ammonia; 5,92?0,73 vs. 4,69?0,74 mmol/l for BUN, 187,27?28,49 vs.152,73?23,39 U/l for LDH, 743,43?206,19 vs. 558,79?113,34 mmol/l for cortisol and 418,08?157,14 vs. 138,79?92,83 ?IU/mL for prolactin). Conclusions. This study demonstrates the relationship between heat storage and Tc, HR, TS and RPE, but also with PSI. Concentrations of cortisol and especially prolactin showed significant correlation with parameters of thermotolerance.


2020 ◽  
pp. 331-331
Author(s):  
Sveta Cvetanovic ◽  
Srdjan Rutic ◽  
Dejan Krstic ◽  
Stanislav Florus ◽  
Pavel Otrisal

This research was performed to test the effectiveness of the microclimate body cooling system which belongs to the group of active systems with liquid-cooled technology. The liquid cooling vest efficiency was observed concerning the physiological fitness of the standard protective set used in specific environmental conditions which imply increased thermal strain of the test subjects. Experimental results from the research are based on the examinations carried out in a thermo-physiological laboratory. Ten healthy male volunteers - test subjects aged (23.4 ? 2.4 years, weight 74 ? 7 kg, and height 184 ? 9 cm) were exposed to thermal strain testing (40 ?C temperature, 40?3% relative humidity, without wind) and simultaneously to physical effort caused by walking on the treadmill at a speed of 5 km/h, during 45 minutes. Tests were performed in two variants - without any cooling system (NC) and with the KewlFlow Circulatory Cooling Vest with Cooler Kit (LC). Throughout heat exposure, the subject's body core temperature (tympanic temperature - Tty), mean skin temperature (Tsk) and heart rate (HR) were measured. Furthermore, sweat rate (SwR) was calculated in order to determine all changes in the water and electrolyte status. Experimental results confirm that the results of this study have recognized the benefits of a liquid-cooled vest in lowering the thermal strain.


2013 ◽  
Vol 70 (7) ◽  
pp. 670-674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoran Vesic ◽  
Milica Vukasinovic-Vesic ◽  
Dragan Dincic ◽  
Maja Surbatovic ◽  
Sonja Radakovic

Background/Aim. Exertional heat stress is a common problem in military services. Considering the coagulation abnormalities are of major importance in development of severe heat stroke, we wanted to examine changes in hemostatic parameters in soldiers during exertional heat stress test as well as the effects of a 10-day passive or active acclimatization in a climatic chamber. Methods. A total of 40 male soldiers with high aerobic capacity performed exertional heat stress test (EHST) either in cool [20?C, 16?C wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT)], or hot (40?C, 29?C, (WBGT) environment, unacclimatized (U) or after 10 days of passive (P) or active (A) acclimatization. Physiological strain was measured by tympanic temperatures (Tty) and heart rates (HR). Platelet count (PC), antithrombin III (AT), and prothrombin time (PT) were assessed in blood samples collected before and immediately after the EHST. Results. EHST in hot conditions induced physiological heat stress (increase in Tty and HR), with a significant increase in prothrombin time in the groups U and A. Platelet counts were significantly higher after the EHST compared to the basic levels in all the investigated groups, regardless environmental conditions and acclimatization state. Antithrombin levels were not affected by EHST whatsoever. Conclusion. In the trained soldiers, physiological heat stress caused mild changes in some serum parameters of blood clotting such as prothrombin time, while others such as antithrombin levels were not affected. Platelet counts were increased after EHST in all groups. A 10-day passive or active acclimatization in climatic chamber showed no effect on parameters investigated.


2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 657-665 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalibor Jovanovic ◽  
Radovan Karkalic ◽  
Ljubisa Tomic ◽  
Zlate Velickovic ◽  
Sonja Radakovic

The present study was conducted in order to evaluate the efficiency of personal body microclimate cooling systems based on a phase change materials (PCM) and its effects on physiological strain in soldiers during exertional heat stress in hot environment. The results are obtained in the experiment conducted in the climatic chamber in the Institute of Hygiene, Military Medical Academy in Belgrade. Ten male soldiers were voluntarily subjected to exertional heat stress tests (EHST) consisted of walking on treadmill (5.5 km/h) in hot conditions (40?C) in climatic chamber. The subjects performed first test while wearing a field camouflage uniform without any cooling system ("CONTROL" group) and in second test they used additional microclimate cooling system with paraffin wax consist of n-hexadecane (C16H34), in a form of cooling packs ("COOL" group). As indicators of thermal strain, mean skin (Tsk) and tympanic (Tty) temperature were determined. Simultaneously, thermal effects of PCM were measured by thermal imaging camera. The exercise in hot conditions induced a physiological response to heat stress, manifested through increased body core and skin temperatures. The results confirmed that the cooling vest worn over the field uniform was able to attenuate the physiological strain during exercise, compared to the identical exposure in the ''control'' group. The results of thermal imaging also indicate that heat generated inside the body is the main factor that will affect the phase change material melting time.


2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 199-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja Radakovic ◽  
Jelena Maric ◽  
Velimir Rubezic ◽  
Maja Surbatovic ◽  
Slavica Radjen

Background/Aim. Exertional heat stress is a common problem in military services. The aim of this study was to examine changes in body water and serum concentrations of some electrolites in soldiers during exertional heat stress (EHST), as well as effects of 10-day passive or active acclimation in a climatic chamber. Methods. Forty male soldiers with high aerobic capacity, performed EHST either in cool (20 ?C, 16 ?C WBGT-wet bulb globe temperature), or hot (40 ?C, 25 ?C WBGT) environment, unacclimatized, or after 10 days of passive or active acclimation. The subjects were allowed to drink tap water ad libitum during EHST. Mean skin (Tsk) and tympanic (Tty) temperatures and heart rates (HR) measured physiological strain, while sweat rate (SwR), and serum concentrations of sodium, potassium and osmolality measured changes in water and electrolyte status. Blood samples were collected before and immediately after the EHST. Results. Exertional heat stress in hot conditions induced physiological heat stress (increase in Tty, HR, and SwR), with significant decrease in serum sodium concentration (140.6?1.52 before vs 138.5?1.0 mmol/l after EHST, p < 0.01) and osmolality (280.7?3.8 vs 277.5?2.6 mOsm/kg, p < 0.05) in the unacclimatized group. The acclimated soldiers suffered no such effects of exertional heat stress, despite almost the same degree of heat strain, measured by Tty, HR and SwR. Conclusion. In the trained soldiers, 10-day passive or active acclimation in a climatic chamber can prevent disturbances in water and electrolytic balance, i.e. decrease in serum sodium concentrations and osmolality induced by exertional heat stress.


2009 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 359-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja Radakovic ◽  
Jelena Maric ◽  
Maja Surbatovic ◽  
Nadja Vasiljevic ◽  
Mladen Milivojevic

Background/Aim. Exertional heat stress is common problem in military services. The aim was to examine changes in serum concentrations of some enzymes in soldiers during exertional heat stress test (EHST) as well as the effects of 10-days passive or active acclimatization in climatic chamber. Methods. Forty male soldiers with high aerobic capacity, performed EHST either in cool (20 ?C, 16 ?C Wet bulb globe temperature - WBGT), or hot (40 ?C, 25 ?C WBGT) environment, unacclimatized, or after 10 days of passive or active acclimation. Physiological strain was measured by tympanic temperatures (Tty) and heart rates (HR). Concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine-kinase (CK) were measured in blood samples collected before and immediately after EHST. Results. Exertional heat stress test in hot conditions induced physiological heat stress (increase in Tty and HR), with significant increase in concentrations of all enzymes in unacclimatized group: ALT (42.5 ? 4.2 before vs 48.1 ? 3.75 U/L after EHST, p < 0.01), AST (24.9 ? 5.1 vs 33.4 ? 4.48 U/L, p < 0.01), LDH (160.6 ? 20.2 vs 195.7 ? 22.6 U/L, p < 0.001) and CK (215.5 ? 91.2 vs 279.1 ? 117.5 U/L, p < 0.05). In acclimatized soldiers there were no significant changes in concentrations of ALT and AST, while concentration of CK was significantly higher. Concentrations of LDH were significantly higher in all investigated groups, regardless of temperature conditions. Conclusion. In trained soldiers, 10-days passive or active acclimatization in climatic chamber can prevent increase in serum concentrations of ALT and AST, induced by exertional heat stress. Increase of serum concentrations of CK and LDH was induced by physical strain itself, with no additional effect of heat stress.


1999 ◽  
Vol 276 (6) ◽  
pp. R1798-R1804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel S. Moran ◽  
Yair Shapiro ◽  
Arie Laor ◽  
Sharona Izraeli ◽  
Kent B. Pandolf

A physiological strain index (PSI) based on rectal temperature (Tre) and heart rate (HR) was recently suggested to evaluate exercise-heat stress. The purpose of this study was to evaluate PSI for gender differences under various combinations of exercise intensity and climate. Two groups of eight men each were formed according to maximal rate of O2 consumption (V˙o 2 max). The first group of men (M) was matched to a group of nine women (W) with similar ( P > 0.001)V˙o 2 max (46.1 ± 2.0 and 43.6 ± 2.9 ml ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1, respectively). The second group of men (MF) was significantly ( P < 0.001) more fit than M or W with V˙o 2 max of 59.1 ± 1.8 ml ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1. Subjects completed a matrix of nine experimental combinations consisting of three different exercise intensities for 60 min [low, moderate, and high (300, 500, and 650 W, respectively)] each at three climates {comfortable, hot wet, and hot dry [20°C 50% relative humidity (RH), 35°C 70% RH, and 40°C 35% RH, respectively]}. No significant differences ( P > 0.05) were found between matched genders (M and W) at the same exposure for sweat rate, relativeV˙o 2 max(%V˙o 2 max), and PSI. However, MF had significantly ( P < 0.05) lower strain than M and W as reflected by %V˙o 2 max and PSI. In summary, PSI applicability was extended for exercise-heat stress and gender. This index continues to show potential for wide acceptance and application.


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