title: Effects of forearm vs. leg submersion in work tolerance time in a hot environment while wearing firefighter protective clothing.
abstract: This study compared physiological responses and total work tolerance time following forearm submersion (FS) or leg submersion (LS) in cool water, after performing work in a hot environment while wearing fire fighting protective clothing (FPC). Participants walked at 3.5 mph on a treadmill in a hot environment (WBGT 32.8 ± 0.9°C) until a rectal temperature (T(rec)) of 38.5°C was reached. Participants were then subjected to one of two peripheral cooling interventions, in a counterbalanced order. Forearms or lower legs were submerged in water (16.9 ± 0.8°C) for a total of 20 min, followed by a work tolerance trial. Results indicated no significant difference (p = 0.052) between work tolerance time (LS = 21.36 ± 5.35 min vs. FS = 16.27 ± 5.56 min). Similarly, there was no significant difference for T(rec) (p = 0.65), heart rate (HR) (p = 0.79), mean skin temperature (T(sk)) (p = 0.68), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) (p = 0.54). However, LS ratings of thermal comfort (RTC) at Minute 14 (p = 0.03) were significantly lower for LS (10 ± 1) vs. FS (12 ± 1). Results indicate little difference between FS and LS for physiological measures. Despite a lack of statistical significance a 5-min (24%) increase was found during the work tolerance time following LS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA. cpkatica@crimson.ua.edu
authors.forename: Charles P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Katica
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Pritchett
authors.forename: Kelly L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Pritchett
authors.forename: Andrew T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Del Pozzi
authors.forename: Gytis
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Balilionis
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Burnham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005390:Fires; D005542:Forearm; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D018882:Heat Stress Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007101:Immersion; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D016272:Occupational Health; D011481:Protective Clothing; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013697:Thermosensing / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult