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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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Open Access 01-12-2020 | Original Article

Two isothermal challenges yield comparable physiological and subjective responses

Authors: L. Klous, A. Psikuta, K. Gijsbertse, D. Mol, M. van Schaik, H. A. M. Daanen, B. R. M. Kingma

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 12/2020

Abstract

Purpose

Ventilated vests are developed to reduce thermal stress by enhancing convective and evaporative cooling from skin tissue underneath the vest. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether thermal stress is equal when a ventilated vest is worn compared to a no-vest situation with similar dry thermal resistance.

Methods

Nine healthy males walked on a treadmill (7 km h⁻¹) for 45 min in a desert climate (34 °C, 20% relative humidity) with and without ventilated vest. Gastrointestinal temperature (T_gi), heart rate (HR), and skin temperature (T_sk) were continuously monitored. Local sweat rate (LSR) was assessed two times on six skin locations. Subjective ratings were assessed every 10 min.

Results

Final T_gi (37.6 ± 0.1 °C for vest and 37.6 ± 0.1 °C for no-vest), HR (133 ± 7 bpm and 133 ± 9 bpm) and mean T_sk (34.8 ± 0.7 °C and 34.9 ± 0.6 °C) were not different between conditions (p ≥ 0.163). Scapula skin temperature (T_scapula) under the vest tended to be lower (baseline to final: ΔT_scapula = 0.35 ± 0.37 °C) than without vest (ΔT_scapula = 0.74 ± 0.62 °C, p = 0.096). LSR at locations outside the vest did not differ with and without vest (p ≥ 0.271). Likewise, subjective responses did not differ between conditions (χ² ≥ 0.143).

Conclusions

We conclude that two systems with similar dry thermal resistance and, therefore, similar required evaporation, resulted in similar thermal stress during paced walking in a hot-dry environment. Local ventilation did not alter the sweating response on locations outside the vest.

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Title: Two isothermal challenges yield comparable physiological and subjective responses
Authors: L. Klous
A. Psikuta
K. Gijsbertse
D. Mol
M. van Schaik
H. A. M. Daanen
B. R. M. Kingma
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 12/2020
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04494-3

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Two isothermal challenges yield comparable physiological and subjective responses

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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