title: Preservation of cognitive performance with age during exertional heat stress under low and high air velocity.
abstract: Older adults may be at greater risk for occupational injuries given their reduced capacity to dissipate heat, leading to greater thermal strain and potentially cognitive decrements.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects of age and increased air velocity, during exercise in humid heat, on information processing and attention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine young (24 ± 1 years) and 9 older (59 ± 1 years) males cycled 4 × 15 min (separated by 15 min rest) at a fixed rate of heat production (400 W) in humid heat (35°C, 60% relative humidity) under 0.5 (low) and 3.0 (high) m·s(-1) air velocity wearing coveralls. At rest, immediately following exercise (end exercise), and after the final recovery, participants performed an abbreviated paced auditory serial addition task (PASAT, 2 sec pace).
  
  
  RESULTS
  PASAT numbers of correct responses at end exercise were similar for young (low = 49 ± 3; high = 51 ± 3) and older (low = 46 ± 5; high = 47 ± 4) males and across air velocity conditions, and when scored relative to age norms. Psychological sweating, or an increased sweat rate with the administration of the PASAT, was observed in both age groups in the high condition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No significant decrements in attention and speeded information processing were observed, with age or altered air velocity, following intermittent exercise in humid heat.
authors: Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, 125 University Private, Montpetit Hall, Room 367, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1N 6N5 ; Flight Research Lab, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0R6.
authors: Heather E
authors: HE
authors: Wright Beatty
authors: Flight Research Lab, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0R6.
authors: Jocelyn M
authors: JM
authors: Keillor
authors: CanmetMINING Natural Resources Canada, Sudbury, ON, Canada P3E 5P5.
authors: Stephen G
authors: SG
authors: Hardcastle
authors: Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada J1K 2R1.
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Boulay
authors: Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, 125 University Private, Montpetit Hall, Room 367, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1N 6N5.
authors: Glen P
authors: GP
authors: Kenny
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D000388:Air; D003071:Cognition; D015444:Exercise; D018869:Heat-Shock Response; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D022722:Thermogenesis