A synthetic undergarment increases physiological strain
Matthew C. Dorton A , Brent C. Ruby B and Charles L. Dumke
B C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada.
B Department of Health and Human Performance, Montana Center for Work Physiology and Exercise Metabolism, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA.
C Corresponding author. Email: charles.dumke@umontana.edu
International Journal of Wildland Fire 28(4) 275-281 https://doi.org/10.1071/WF18092
Submitted: 27 June 2018 Accepted: 18 January 2019 Published: 19 February 2019
Abstract
Our aim was to examine the effect of a synthetic material undergarment on heat stress during exercise in a hot environment. Ten active males completed two trials of intermittent (50 min walking, 10 min sitting) treadmill walking over 3 h in 35°C and 30% relative humidity. Subjects wore wildland firefighter flame-resistant meta-aramid blend pants and shirt with either a 100% cotton (C) or flame-retardant modacrylic undergarment (S), while carrying a 16-kg pack, helmet and leather gloves. Exercise was followed by a 30-min rest period without pack, helmet, gloves, and outerwear shirt. Rectal temperature and physiological strain were greater in S than C (P = 0.04). No significant differences were found for heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, energy expenditure or skin temperature between C and S. Skin blood flow increased significantly in S following the second hour of exercise, resulting in a time × trial interaction (P = 0.001). No significant differences for skin blood flow were found post exercise. Sweat rate and percent dehydration were not different between C and S. These data indicate that, of the two undergarments investigated, the synthetic undergarment negatively affected physiological factors that have been shown to indicate an increased risk of heat-related injuries.
Additional keywords : heat-related injuries, physiological strain index, skin blood flow, wildland firefighters.
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