TY - JOUR
T1 - A new occupational heat tolerance test
T2 - A feasibility study
AU - Watkins, Emily R.
AU - Gibbons, Jemma
AU - Dellas, Yanoula
AU - Hayes, Mark
AU - Watt, Peter
AU - Richardson, Alan J.
PY - 2018/9/5
Y1 - 2018/9/5
N2 - Heat tolerance tests identify those susceptible to heat illnesses and monitor heat adaptations. Currently, tolerance tests do not replicate the uncompensable heat strain environments experienced in some occupations. In addition, tests can take up to 2 h to complete, and cannot offer intra and inter individual comparisons, due to the use of a fixed exercise intensity. This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of a new heat occupational tolerance test (HOTT: 40 min at 6 W kg−1 metabolic heat production, 50 °C 10% RH, in protective clothing) to the standard heat tolerance test (HTT: 2 h walk at 5 km h−1 1% gradient, 40 °C 40% RH, in shorts and t-shirt). Eighteen participants (age: 21 ± 3 yrs, body mass: 81.3 ± 5.9 kg) completed trials to assess the validity and/or reliability of the HOTT. Peak rectal temperature (Tre) displayed strong agreement and low measurement error (0.19 °C) between HTT (38.7 ± 0.4 °C) and HOTT (38.6 ± 0.4 °C). Strong agreement was also displayed for physiological and perceptual measures between the two HOTT trials, including peak Tre (38.5 ± 0.4 °C vs. 38.5 ± 0.4 °C) and peak heart rate (182 ± 20 b min−1 vs. 182 ± 21 b min−1). The HOTT is the first tolerance test that assesses individuals’ responses whilst wearing protective clothing in high temperatures. It can consistently identify individuals’ levels of heat tolerance within a reduced time frame. In addition, it allows for participant monitoring over time and comparisons between individuals to be made. A continuum based approach is recommended when assessing individuals’ responses to the HOTT.
AB - Heat tolerance tests identify those susceptible to heat illnesses and monitor heat adaptations. Currently, tolerance tests do not replicate the uncompensable heat strain environments experienced in some occupations. In addition, tests can take up to 2 h to complete, and cannot offer intra and inter individual comparisons, due to the use of a fixed exercise intensity. This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of a new heat occupational tolerance test (HOTT: 40 min at 6 W kg−1 metabolic heat production, 50 °C 10% RH, in protective clothing) to the standard heat tolerance test (HTT: 2 h walk at 5 km h−1 1% gradient, 40 °C 40% RH, in shorts and t-shirt). Eighteen participants (age: 21 ± 3 yrs, body mass: 81.3 ± 5.9 kg) completed trials to assess the validity and/or reliability of the HOTT. Peak rectal temperature (Tre) displayed strong agreement and low measurement error (0.19 °C) between HTT (38.7 ± 0.4 °C) and HOTT (38.6 ± 0.4 °C). Strong agreement was also displayed for physiological and perceptual measures between the two HOTT trials, including peak Tre (38.5 ± 0.4 °C vs. 38.5 ± 0.4 °C) and peak heart rate (182 ± 20 b min−1 vs. 182 ± 21 b min−1). The HOTT is the first tolerance test that assesses individuals’ responses whilst wearing protective clothing in high temperatures. It can consistently identify individuals’ levels of heat tolerance within a reduced time frame. In addition, it allows for participant monitoring over time and comparisons between individuals to be made. A continuum based approach is recommended when assessing individuals’ responses to the HOTT.
KW - Heat tolerance
KW - Occupational health
KW - Personal protective equipment
KW - Reliability
KW - Validity
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85053219266&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2018.09.001
DO - 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2018.09.001
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85053219266
VL - 78
SP - 42
EP - 50
JO - Journal of Thermal Biology
JF - Journal of Thermal Biology
SN - 0306-4565
ER -
