title: Effect of base layer materials on physiological and perceptual responses to exercise in personal protective equipment.
abstract: Ten men (non-firefighters) completed a 110 min walking/recovery protocol (three 20-min exercise bouts, with recovery periods of 10, 20, and 20 min following successive bouts) in a thermoneutral laboratory while wearing firefighting personal protective equipment over one of four base layers: cotton, modacrylic, wool, and phase change material. There were no significant differences in changes in heart rate, core temperature, rating of perceived exertion, thermal discomfort, and thermal strain among base layers. Sticking to skin, coolness/hotness, and clothing humidity sensation were more favorable (p < 0.05) for wool compared with cotton; no significant differences were identified for the other 7 clothing sensations assessed. Separate materials performance testing of the individual base layers and firefighting ensembles (base layer + turnout gear) indicated differences in thermal protective performance and total heat loss among the base layers and among ensembles; however, differences in heat dissipation did not correspond with physiological responses during exercise or recovery.
authors.affiliation: First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Sciences, Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA. Electronic address: dsmith@skidmore.edu.
authors.forename: Denise L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Sciences, Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA.
authors.forename: Logan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Arena
authors.affiliation: First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Sciences, Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA.
authors.forename: Jacob P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: DeBlois
authors.affiliation: First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Sciences, Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA.
authors.forename: Jeannie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Haller
authors.affiliation: First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Sciences, Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA.
authors.forename: Eric M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Hultquist
authors.affiliation: First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Sciences, Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA.
authors.forename: Wesley K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Lefferts
authors.affiliation: First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Sciences, Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.affiliation: First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Sciences, Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA.
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Sciences, Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA.
authors.forename: Patricia C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Fehling
mesh_terms: D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D061388:Firefighters / Q000523:psychology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D011481:Protective Clothing; D013546:Sweating / Q000502:physiology; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Clothing; Firefighting; Heat stress