Citation

Glitz KJ, Seibel U, Rohde U, Gorges W, Witzki A, Piekarski C, Leyk D. Ergonomics 2015; 58(8): 1461-1469.

Affiliation

a Department IV -Military Ergonomics and Exercise Physiology- Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service , D-56070 , Koblenz , Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00140139.2015.1013574

PMID

25679096

Abstract

Heat stress caused by protective clothing limits work time. Performance improvement of a microclimate cooling method that enhances evaporative and to a minor extent convective heat loss was tested. Ten male volunteers in protective overalls completed a work-rest schedule (130 min; treadmill: 3 x 30 min, 3 km/h, 5% incline) with or without an additional air-diffusing garment (climatic chamber: 25 °C, 50 % RH, 0.2 m/s wind). Heat loss was supported by ventilating the garment with dry air (600 l/min, ≪5% RH, 25 °C). Ventilation leads (M ±  SD, n = 10, ventilated vs. non-ventilated) to substantial strain reduction (max. HR: 123 ± 12 b/min vs. 149 ± 24 b/min) by thermal relief (max. core temperature: 37.8 ± 0.3 °C vs. 38.4 ± 0.4 °C, max. mean skin temperature: 34.7 ± 0.8 °C vs. 37.1 ± 0.3 °C) and offers essential extensions in performance and work time under thermal insulation.

Language: en