Top

Published in:

01-02-2009 | Original Article

The effects of protective clothing on energy consumption during different activities

Authors: Lucy E. Dorman, George Havenith

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 3/2009

Abstract

Protective clothing (PPC) can have negative effects on worker performance. Currently little is known about the metabolic effects of PPC and previous work has been limited to a few garments and simple walking or stepping. This study investigated the effects of a wide range of PPC on energy consumption during different activities. It is hypothesized that wearing PPC would significantly increase metabolic rate, disproportionally to its weight, during walking, stepping and an obstacle course. Measuring a person’s oxygen consumption during work can give an indirect, but accurate estimate of energy expenditure (metabolic rate). Oxygen consumption was measured during the performance of continuous walking and stepping, and an obstacle course in 14 different PPC ensembles. Increases in perceived exertion and in metabolic rate (2.4–20.9%) when wearing a range of PPC garments compared to a control condition were seen, with increases above 10% being significant (P < 0.05). More than half of the increase could not be attributed to ensemble weight.

Available only for authorised users

Bilzon JLJ, Scarpello EG, Smith CV, Ravenhill NA, Rayson MP (2001) Characterisation of the metabolic demands of simulated shipboard Royal Navy fire-fighting tasks. Ergonomics 44(8):766–780. doi:10.1080/00140130110046568 PubMedCrossRef

Davis PO, Dotson CO, Laine Santa Maria D (1982) Relationship between simulated fire fighting tasks and physical performance measures. Med Sci Sports Exerc 14(1):65–71. doi:10.1249/00005768-198214010-00013 PubMed

Dorman LE (2007) The effects of protective clothing and its properties on energy consumption during different activities. PhD thesis, Loughborough University, UK

Duggan A (1988) Energy cost of stepping in protective clothing ensembles. Ergonomics 31(1):3–11. doi:10.1080/00140138808966645 PubMedCrossRef

Faff J, Tutak T (1989) Physiological responses to working with fire fighting equipment in the heat in relation to subjective fatigue. Ergonomics 32(6):629–638. doi:10.1080/00140138908966137 PubMedCrossRef

Givoni B, Goldman RF (1971) Predicting metabolic energy cost. J Appl Physiol 30(3):429–433PubMed

Goldman RF (1990) Heat stress in firefighting; the relationship between work, clothing and environment. Fire Eng May:47–52

Graveling R, Hanson M (2000) Design of UK firefighter clothing. In: Kuklane K, Holmer I (eds) Proceedings of Nokobetef 6 and 1st European conference on protective clothing, pp 277–280

Havenith G (2002) Interaction of clothing and thermoregulation. Exogenous Dermatol 1:221–230. doi:10.1159/000068802 CrossRef

Havenith G, Heus R (2004) A test battery related to ergonomics of protective clothing. Appl Ergon 35:3–20. doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2003.11.001 PubMedCrossRef

Lotens WA (1988) Military performance of clothing. In: Handbook on clothing, research study group 7 on bio-medical research aspects of military protective clothing. http://www.environmental-ergonomics.org

Meyer T, Davison RCR, Kinderman W (2005) Ambulatory gas exchange measurements—current status and future options. Int J Sports Med 26:S19–S27. doi:10.1055/s-2004-830507 PubMedCrossRef

Murphy MM, Patton J, Mello R, Bidwell T, Harp M (2001) Energy cost of physical task performance in men and women wearing chemical protective clothing. Aviat Space Environ Med 72(1):25–31PubMed

Nunneley SA (1989) Heat stress in protective clothing: Interactions among physical and physiological factors. Scand J Work Environ Health 15(Suppl 1):52–57PubMed

Patton JF, Bidwell TE, Murphy MM, Mello RP, Harp ME (1995) Energy cost of wearing chemical protective clothing during progressive treadmill walking. Aviat Space Environ Med 66:238–242PubMed

Rintamaki H (2005) Protective clothing and performance in cold environments. In: The third international conference on human-environment system (ICHES), Tokyo, Japan, 12–15 September

Taylor HL, Orlansky JO (1993) The effects of wearing protective chemical warfare combat clothing on human performance. Aviat Space Environ Med 64(3, Pt 2):A1–A41PubMed

Teitlebaum A, Goldman RF (1972) Increased energy cost with multiple clothing layers. J Appl Physiol 32(6):743–744PubMed

Title: The effects of protective clothing on energy consumption during different activities
Authors: Lucy E. Dorman
George Havenith
Publication date: 01-02-2009
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 3/2009
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0924-2

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The effects of protective clothing on energy consumption during different activities

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 3/2009

Exercise affects platelet-promoted tumor cell adhesion and invasion to endothelium

Helmet-based physiological signal monitoring system

Regulating intensity using perceived exertion: effect of exercise duration

Cardiac response to exercise in young, normal weight and overweight men and women

The effect of 60-h sleep deprivation on cardiovascular regulation and body temperature

The effects of acute whole body vibration as a recovery modality following high-intensity interval training in well-trained, middle-aged runners