Citation

de Rome L, Taylor EA, Croft RJ, Brown J, Fitzharris M, Taylor NA. Ergonomics 2015; 59(4): 504-513.

Affiliation

a Neuroscience Research Australia , Sydney , Australia.

Copyright

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

DOI

10.1080/00140139.2015.1082632

PMID

26280297

Abstract

Motorcycle protective clothing can be uncomfortably hot during summer, and this experiment was designed to evaluate the physiological significance of this burden. Twelve males participated in four, 90-min trials (cycling 30 W) across three environments (25°C, 30°C, 35°C [all 40% relative humidity]). Clothing was modified between full and minimal injury protection. Both ensembles were tested at 25°C, with only the protective ensemble investigated at 30(o) and 35°C. At 35°C, auditory canal temperature rose at 0.02°C.min(-1) (SD 0.005), deviating from all other trials (P<0.05). The thresholds for moderate (>38.5°C) and profound hyperthermia (>40.0°C) were predicted to occur within 105 min (SD 20.6) and 180 min (SD 33.0), respectively. Profound hyperthermia might eventuate in ~10 h at 30°C, but should not occur at 25°C. These outcomes demonstrate a need to enhance the heat dissipation capabilities of motorcycle clothing designed for summer use in hot climates, but without compromising impact protection. Practitioner's Summary Motorcycle protective clothing can be uncomfortably hot during summer. This experiment was designed to evaluate the physiological significance of this burden across climatic states. In the heat, moderate (>38.5°C) and profound hyperthermia (>40.0°C) were predicted to occur within 105 min and 180 min, respectively.

Language: en