Peer Review #2 of "Obesity, but not hypohydration, mediates changes in mental task load during passive heating in females (v0.1)"

BackgroundThe independent effects of hypohydration and hyperthermia on cognition and mood is unclear since the two stresses often confound each other. Further, it is unknown if obese individuals have the same impairments during hyperthermia and hypohydration that is often observed in non-obese individuals.MethodsThe current study was designed to assess the independent and combined effects of mild hypohydration and hyperthermia on cognition, mood, and mental task load in obese and non-obese females. Twenty-one healthy females participated in two passive heating trials, wherein they were either euhydrated or hypohydrated prior to and throughout passive heating. Cognition (ImPACT), mental task load (NASA-TLX), and mood (Brunel Mood Scale; BRUMS) were measured before and after a 1.0 °C increase in core temperature (TC).ResultsAfter a 1.0 °C TCelevation, hypohydration resulted in greater (p < 0.05) body mass loss (−1.14 ± 0.48 vs −0.58 ± 0.48 kg; hypohydrated and euhydrated, respectively) and elevation in serum osmolality (292 ± 4 vs 282 ± 3 mOsm;p < 0.05) versus euhydration. Hypohydration, independent of hyperthermia, did not affect mental task load or mood (p > 0.05). Hyperthermia, regardless of hydration status, impaired (∼5 A.U) measures of memory-based cognition (verbal and visual memory), and increased mental task load, while worsening mood (p < 0.05). Interestingly, obese individuals had increased mental task load while hyperthermic compared to the non-obese individuals (p < 0.05) even while euhydrated. Hypohydration did not exacerbate any heat-related effects on cognition between obese and non-obese females (p > 0.05).ConclusionThese data indicate that hyperthermia independently impairs memory-based aspects of cognitive performance, mental task load, and leads to a negative mood state. Mild hypohydration did not exacerbate the effects of hyperthermia. However, obese individuals had increased mental task load during hyperthermia.

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Mental task load of international telephone operators. Assessment by task analysis, physiological measures, reaction time and questionaires

International Journal of Psychophysiology ◽

10.1016/0167-8760(93)90183-p ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 130-131

Author(s):

A. Kamphuis ◽

J.P. de Groot

Keyword(s):

Reaction Time ◽

Task Analysis ◽

Physiological Measures ◽

Mental Task ◽

Task Load ◽

Telephone Operators

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Identification and Assessment of Mental Tasks Using Task Flowcharts

Strategic Human Capital Development and Management in Emerging Economies - Advances in Human Resources Management and Organizational Development ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-1974-4.ch001 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 1-19

Author(s):

Juan Luis Hernández-Arellano ◽

J. Nieves Serratos-Perez ◽

Aide Aracely Maldonado Macías

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Task ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Mental Task ◽

Cognitive Effect ◽

Load Model ◽

Task Load ◽

Study Case ◽

Industrial Environments ◽

Ergonomic Evaluation ◽

Mental Tasks

Traditional methods for ergonomic evaluation do not consider the identification and assessment of mental tasks. This chapter proposes a method for the Identification and Assessment of Mental Tasks (IAMT) through the development of task flowcharts. Using a semi structured interview and a task flowchart, the mental tasks are identified and described. Applying the Cognitive Task Load Model (CTLM), a cognitive effect is assigned to every mental task identified. A theoretical/common example and a study case were developed to exemplify the proposed method. IAMT method was developed to be useful mainly in industrial environments; however, IAMT should be applied in different work contexts and environments.

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