1
|
Tsoutsoubi L, Ioannou LG, Ciuha U, Fisher JT, Possnig C, Simpson LL, Flouris AD, Lawley J, Mekjavic IB. Validation of formulae predicting stroke volume from arterial pressure: with particular emphasis on upright individuals in hot ambient conditions. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1398816. [PMID: 39050481 PMCID: PMC11266312 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1398816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction During heatwaves, it is important to monitor workers' cardiovascular health since 35% of those working in hot environments experience symptoms of heat strain. Wearable technology has been popularized for monitoring heart rate (HR) during recreational activities, but it can also be used to monitor occupational heat strain based on core and skin temperatures and HR. To our knowledge, no devices estimate the cardiovascular strain directly based on stroke volume (SV) or cardiac output (CO). In addition to the hardware, there are limitations regarding the lack of suitable algorithms that would provide such an index based on relevant physiological responses. The validation of the formulae already existing in literature was the principle aim of the present study. Methods We monitored the cardiovascular responses of our participants to a supine and 60° head-up tilt at the same time each day. During the test, we measured blood pressure derived by finger photoplethysmography, which also provided beat-by-beat measures of SV and CO. Afterwards, we compared the SV derived from the photoplethysmography with the one calculated with the different equations that already exist in literature. Results The evaluation of the formulae was based on comparing the error of prediction. This residual analysis compared the sum of the squared residuals generated by each formula using the same data set. Conclusion Our findings suggest that estimating SV with existing formulae is feasible, showing a good correlation and a relatively small bias. Thus, simply measuring workers' blood pressure during breaks could estimate their cardiac strain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Tsoutsoubi
- Department of Automatics, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Leonidas G. Ioannou
- Department of Automatics, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Urša Ciuha
- Department of Automatics, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jason T. Fisher
- Department of Automatics, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- International Postgraduate School Józef Stefan, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Carmen Possnig
- Department Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lydia L. Simpson
- Department Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andreas D. Flouris
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | - Justin Lawley
- Department Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Igor B. Mekjavic
- Department of Automatics, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ioannou LG, Tsoutsoubi L, Gkiata P, Brown HA, Periard JD, Mekjavic IB, Kenny GP, Nybo L, Flouris AD. Effect of sportswear on performance and physiological heat strain during prolonged running in moderately hot conditions. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2024; 34:e14520. [PMID: 37839051 DOI: 10.1111/sms.14520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study examined the impact of different upper-torso sportswear technologies on the performance and physiological heat strain of well-trained and national-level athletes during prolonged running in moderately hot conditions. METHODS A randomized crossover design was employed in which 20 well-trained (n = 16) and national-level (n = 4) athletes completed four experimental trials in moderately hot conditions (35°C, 30% relative humidity). In each trial, participants ran at 70% of their peak oxygen uptake (70% V̇O2peak ) for 60 min, while wearing a different upper-body garment: cotton t-shirt, t-shirt with sweat-wicking fabric, compression t-shirt, and t-shirt with aluminum dots lining the inside of the upper back of the garment. Running speed was adjusted to elicit the predetermined oxygen consumption associated with 70% V̇O2peak . Physiological (core and skin temperatures, total body water loss, and urine specific gravity) and perceptual (thermal comfort and sensation, ratings of perceived exertion, and garment cooling functionality) parameters along with running speed at 70% V̇O2peak were continuously recorded. RESULTS No significant differences were observed between the four garments for running speed at 70% V̇O2peak , physiological heat strain, and perceptual responses (all p > 0.05). The tested athletes reported larger areas of perceived suboptimal cooling functionality in the cotton t-shirt and the t-shirt with aluminum dots relative to the sweat-wicking and compression t-shirts (d: 0.43-0.52). CONCLUSION There were not differences among the tested garments regarding running speed at 70% V̇O2peak , physiological heat strain, and perceptual responses in well-trained and national-level endurance athletes exercising in moderate heat.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonidas G Ioannou
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | - Lydia Tsoutsoubi
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Gkiata
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | - Harry A Brown
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Julien D Periard
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Igor B Mekjavic
- Department of Automatics, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Glen P Kenny
- Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lars Nybo
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas D Flouris
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gourzoulidis G, Gofa F, Ioannou LG, Konstantakopoulos I, Flouris AD. Developing a Feasible Integrated Framework for Occupational Heat Stress Protection: A Step Towards Safer Working Environments. LA MEDICINA DEL LAVORO 2023; 114:e2023043. [PMID: 37878259 PMCID: PMC10627097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Specialized occupational health and safety (OHS) issues are covered at the EU level through detailed legislation and guidelines. Unfortunately, this does not extend to occupational heat stress, not only in Greece but also (with few exceptions) internationally. One possible explanation could be the difficulty in accurately identifying the dangerous conditions, as many environmental and individualized elements are involved, and hundreds of "thermal stress indicators" are available. Another explanation could be the difficulty in adequately measuring hazardous conditions for workers affected more (i.e., outdoor and high intensity) since the biological protection framework is based on the human body's internal temperature. METHODS The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) has been proposed as the most efficacious thermal stress indicator. Since 2021, the Hellenic National Meteorological Service has provided 48-h WBGT forecast predictions to serve as a first level of alert. Real-time measurements and 48-h forecasts of WBGT are also available through a smartphone application. Additionally, as revealed when developing the occupational heat stress legislation in Cyprus and Qatar, crucial first steps are identifying the specific characteristics of worker exposure and the tripartite collaboration between employers, workers, and the State. RESULTS Evaluating the simplified WBGT forecasted values and the smartphone application estimates proved well-established. The sound scientific basis can be effectively combined with administrative measures based on the EU OHS legislative experience to produce practical solutions. CONCLUSIONS As the climate crisis exacerbates, worker productivity and well-being will decline, underscoring the urgent need for an integrated protection framework. Such a framework is proposed here.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Gourzoulidis
- 1Research & Measurements Center of Occupational Health and Safety Hazardous Agents, Hellenic Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Greece.
| | - Flora Gofa
- Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS), Greece.
| | - Leonidas G Ioannou
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Greece.
| | - Ioannis Konstantakopoulos
- Department of National Focal Point & OSH promotion policies/National Focal Point of EU-OSHA, Hellenic Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Athens..
| | - Andreas D Flouris
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tsoutsoubi L, Ioannou LG, Alba BK, Cheung SS, Daanen HA, Mekjavic IB, Flouris AD. Central versus peripheral mechanisms of cold-induced vasodilation: a study in the fingers and toes of people with paraplegia. Eur J Appl Physiol 2023; 123:1709-1726. [PMID: 37005962 PMCID: PMC10363085 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-023-05175-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study examined physiological and perceptual parameters related to cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD) in the fingers and toes of people with paraplegia and compared them with responses observed in able-bodied individuals. METHODS Seven participants with paraplegia and seven able-bodied individuals participated in a randomized matched-controlled study involving left-hand and -foot immersion in cold water (8 ± 1 °C) for 40 min during exposure to cool (16 ± 1 °C), thermoneutral (23 ± 1 °C), and hot (34 ± 1 °C) ambient conditions. RESULTS Similar CIVD occurrence was observed in the fingers in the two groups. In toes, three of the seven participants with paraplegia revealed CIVDs: one in cool, two in thermoneutral, and three in hot conditions. No able-bodied participants revealed CIVDs in cool and thermoneutral conditions, while four revealed CIVDs in hot conditions. The toe CIVDs of paraplegic participants were counterintuitive in several respects: they were more frequent in cool and thermoneutral conditions (compared to the able-bodied participants), emerged in these conditions despite lower core and skin temperatures of these participants, and were evident only in cases of thoracic level lesions (instead of lesions at lower spinal levels). CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrated considerable inter-individual variability in CIVD responses in both the paraplegic and able-bodied groups. While we observed vasodilatory responses in the toes of participants with paraplegia that technically fulfilled the criteria for CIVD, it is unlikely that they reflect the CIVD phenomenon observed in able-bodied individuals. Taken together, our findings favor the contribution of central over peripheral factors in relation to the origin and/or control of CIVD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Tsoutsoubi
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Karies, 42100, Trikala, Greece
| | - Leonidas G Ioannou
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Karies, 42100, Trikala, Greece
| | - Billie K Alba
- Thermal and Mountain Medicine Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, 01760, USA
| | - Stephen S Cheung
- Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Hein A Daanen
- Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Igor B Mekjavic
- Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Józef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Andreas D Flouris
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Karies, 42100, Trikala, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ioannou LG, Testa DJ, Tsoutsoubi L, Mantzios K, Gkikas G, Agaliotis G, Nybo L, Babar Z, Flouris AD. Migrants from Low-Income Countries have Higher Heat-Health Risk Profiles Compared to Native Workers in Agriculture. J Immigr Minor Health 2023:10.1007/s10903-023-01493-2. [PMID: 37208495 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-023-01493-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The present observational study was conducted to uncover potential differences in the risk of experiencing high occupational heat strain during agriculture work between migrants and their native coworkers, as well as to elucidate the factors that may contribute to such differences. The study took place over the period from 2016 through 2019 and involved monitoring 124 experienced and acclimatized individuals from high-income (HICs), upper-middle-income (UMICs), as well as lower-middle- and low-income (LMICs) countries. Baseline self-reported data for age, body stature, and body mass were collected at the start of the study. Second-by-second video recordings throughout the work shifts were captured using a video camera and were used to estimate workers' clothing insulation, covered body surface area, and body posture, as well as to calculate their walking speed, the amount of time they spent on different activities (and their intensity) and unplanned breaks throughout their work shifts. All information derived from the video data was used to calculate the physiological heat strain experienced by the workers. The core temperature of migrant workers from LMICs (37.81 ± 0.38 °C) and UMICs (37.71 ± 0.35 °C) was estimated to be significantly higher compared to the core temperature of native workers from HICs (37.60 ± 0.29 °C) (p < 0.001). Moreover, migrant workers from LMICs faced a 52% and 80% higher risk for experiencing core body temperature above the safety threshold of 38 °C compared to migrant workers from UMICs and native workers from HICs, respectively. Our findings show that migrant workers originating from LMICs experience higher levels of occupational heat strain, as compared to migrant workers from UMICs and native workers from HICs, because they take fewer unplanned breaks during work, they work at a higher intensity, they wear more clothing, and they have a smaller body size.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonidas G Ioannou
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Karies, 42100, Trikala, Greece
| | - Davide J Testa
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Karies, 42100, Trikala, Greece
| | - Lydia Tsoutsoubi
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Karies, 42100, Trikala, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Mantzios
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Karies, 42100, Trikala, Greece
| | - Giorgos Gkikas
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Karies, 42100, Trikala, Greece
| | - Gerasimos Agaliotis
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Karies, 42100, Trikala, Greece
| | - Lars Nybo
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Zahra Babar
- Center for International and Regional Studies, Georgetown University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Andreas D Flouris
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Karies, 42100, Trikala, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hunt AP, Brearley M, Hall A, Pope R. Climate Change Effects on the Predicted Heat Strain and Labour Capacity of Outdoor Workers in Australia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5675. [PMID: 37174195 PMCID: PMC10178543 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20095675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Global heating is subjecting more of the planet to longer periods of higher heat stress categories commonly employed to determine safe work durations. This study compared predicted worker heat strain and labour capacity for a recent normal climate (1986-2005) and under commonly applied climate scenarios for the 2041-2080 period for selected Australian locations. Recently published heat indices for northern (Darwin, Townsville, and Tom Price) and south-eastern coastal and inland Australia locations (Griffith, Port Macquarie, and Clare) under four projected climate scenarios, comprising two representative concentration pathways (RCPs), RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, and two time periods, 2041-2060 and 2061-2080, were used. Safe work durations, before the threshold for core temperature (38.0 °C) or sweat loss (5% body mass) are attained, were then estimated for each scenario using the predicted heat strain model (ISO7933). The modelled time to threshold core temperature varied with location, climate scenario, and metabolic rate. Relative to the baseline (1986-2005), safe work durations (labour capacity) were reduced by >50% in Port Macquarie and Griffith and by 20-50% in northern Australia. Reaching the sweat loss limit restricted safe work durations in Clare and Griffith. Projected future climatic conditions will adversely impact the predicted heat strain and labour capacity of outdoor workers in Australia. Risk management strategies must adapt to warming conditions to protect outdoor workers from the deleterious effects of heat.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P. Hunt
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia
| | - Matt Brearley
- Thermal Hyperformance, Hervey Bay, QLD 4655, Australia
- National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, Darwin, NT 0800, Australia
- School of Allied Health, Exercise & Sports Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW 2640, Australia
| | - Andrew Hall
- Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW 2640, Australia
| | - Rodney Pope
- School of Allied Health, Exercise & Sports Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW 2640, Australia
- Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4229, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kapnia AK, Ziaka S, Ioannou LG, Flouri I, Dinas PC, Flouris AD. Population Characteristics, Symptoms, and Risk Factors of Idiopathic Chilblains: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:1651. [PMID: 36421364 PMCID: PMC9687160 DOI: 10.3390/biology11111651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 09/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chilblains/perniosis is a non-freezing cold injury causing painful inflammatory skin lesions. Its pathogenesis remains poorly understood because it is often studied as secondary to other underlying conditions. METHODS We systematically investigated the population characteristics, symptoms, and predisposing factors of chilblains in healthy adults exposed to cool/cold environments. We screened PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, and we adopted PRISMA reporting guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD42021245307). The risk of bias was assessed by two independent reviewers (RTI item bank). Random-effects model meta-analyses were performed to calculate the pooled prevalence of histopathological features. Mixed-effects meta-regressions were used to assess other sources of between-study heterogeneity. RESULTS Thirteen studies (477 patients) were included. Chilblains affect more women than men, up to 12% of the body skin surface, and most frequently, the hands and fingers. Meta-analyses of nine studies (303 patients) showed a frequent presence of perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate (81%), basal epidermal-cell layer vacuolation (67%), papillary dermal edema (66%), and perieccrine lymphocytic infiltrate (57%). Meta-regressions (p ≤ 0.05) showed that smoking and frequent occupational exposure to water increase the likelihood of histopathological features. CONCLUSIONS The population characteristics, symptoms, and predisposing factors of chilblains revealed in this analysis should be incorporated in medical care to improve the condition's diagnosis and management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Areti K. Kapnia
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
| | - Styliani Ziaka
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
| | - Leonidas G. Ioannou
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
| | - Irini Flouri
- Department of Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology and Allergy, University of Crete Medical School, 71500 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Petros C. Dinas
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
| | - Andreas D. Flouris
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Tsoutsoubi L, Ioannou LG, Mantzios K, Ziaka S, Nybo L, Flouris AD. Cardiovascular Stress and Characteristics of Cold-Induced Vasodilation in Women and Men during Cold-Water Immersion: A Randomized Control Study. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:1054. [PMID: 36101432 PMCID: PMC9312820 DOI: 10.3390/biology11071054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD) is a phenomenon that refers to a paradoxical increase in finger temperature that sometimes occurs during cold exposure. The aim of this study was to compare CIVD responses between women and men, during exposure to different environmental conditions. METHODS Seven men and seven women participated in a matched controlled study consisting of a familiarization protocol followed by three experimental sessions (cool (10.8 °C WBGT), thermoneutral (17.2 °C WBGT), and hot (27.2 °C WBGT)). In each session, participants were asked to immerse their left hand and foot in warm water (35 ± 1 °C) for five minutes. Thereafter, the left hand and foot were immersed in cold water (8 ± 1 °C) for 40 min. After that, the left hand and foot were removed from the water and participants remained seated for five minutes. RESULTS For a matched thermal stress, women experienced an elevated cardiovascular strain (heart rate and in some cases mean arterial pressure) and higher frequency of CIVD reactions (men: 31 vs. women: 60) in comparison to their male counterparts. CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrated that women experienced elevated cardiovascular strain and higher frequency of CIVD reactions, particularly in the toes, compared to their male counterparts during cold-water immersion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Tsoutsoubi
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.T.); (L.G.I.); (K.M.); (S.Z.)
| | - Leonidas G. Ioannou
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.T.); (L.G.I.); (K.M.); (S.Z.)
| | - Konstantinos Mantzios
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.T.); (L.G.I.); (K.M.); (S.Z.)
| | - Styliani Ziaka
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.T.); (L.G.I.); (K.M.); (S.Z.)
| | - Lars Nybo
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Andreas D. Flouris
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.T.); (L.G.I.); (K.M.); (S.Z.)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ioannou LG, Foster J, Morris NB, Piil JF, Havenith G, Mekjavic IB, Kenny GP, Nybo L, Flouris AD. Occupational heat strain in outdoor workers: A comprehensive review and meta-analysis. Temperature (Austin) 2022; 9:67-102. [PMID: 35655665 PMCID: PMC9154804 DOI: 10.1080/23328940.2022.2030634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The present comprehensive review (i) summarizes the current knowledge on the impacts of occupational heat stress on outdoor workers, (ii) provides a historical background on this issue, (iii) presents a meta-analysis of published data, (iv) explores inter-individual and intra-individual factors, (v) discusses the available heat mitigation strategies, (vi) estimates physical work capacity, labour productivity, and metabolic rate for the year 2030, and (vii) provides an overview of existing policy and legal frameworks on occupational heat exposure. Meta-analytic findings from 38 field studies that involved monitoring 2,409 outdoor workers across 41 jobs in 21 countries suggest that occupational heat stress increases the core (r = 0.44) and skin (r = 0.44) temperatures, as well as the heart rate (r = 0.38) and urine specific gravity (r = 0.13) of outdoor workers (all p < 0.05). Moreover, it diminishes the capacity of outdoor workers for manual labour (r = -0.82; p < 0.001) and is responsible for more than two thirds of the reduction in their metabolic rate. Importantly, our analysis shows that physical work capacity is projected to be highly affected by the ongoing anthropogenic global warming. Nevertheless, the metabolic rate and, therefore, labour productivity are projected to remain at levels higher than the workers' physical work capacity, indicating that people will continue to work more intensely than they should to meet their financial obligations for food and shelter. In this respect, complementary measures targeting self-pacing, hydration, work-rest regimes, ventilated garments, and mechanization can be adopted to protect outdoor workers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonidas G. Ioannou
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | - Josh Foster
- Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Nathan B. Morris
- Department of Human Physiology & Nutrition, University of Colorado, Springs, Colorado, USA
| | - Jacob F. Piil
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - George Havenith
- Environmental Ergonomics Research Centre, Loughborough Design School, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - Igor B. Mekjavic
- Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Glen P. Kenny
- Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lars Nybo
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas D. Flouris
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
- Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ioannou LG, Tsoutsoubi L, Mantzios K, Vliora M, Nintou E, Piil JF, Notley SR, Dinas PC, Gourzoulidis GA, Havenith G, Brearley M, Mekjavic IB, Kenny GP, Nybo L, Flouris AD. Indicators to assess physiological heat strain – Part 3: Multi-country field evaluation and consensus recommendations. Temperature (Austin) 2022; 9:274-291. [PMID: 36249710 PMCID: PMC9559325 DOI: 10.1080/23328940.2022.2044739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In a series of three companion papers published in this Journal, we identify and validate the available thermal stress indicators (TSIs). In this third paper, we conducted field experiments across nine countries to evaluate the efficacy of 61 meteorology-based TSIs for assessing the physiological strain experienced by individuals working in the heat. We monitored 372 experi-enced and acclimatized workers during 893 full work shifts. We continuously assessed core body temperature, mean skin temperature, and heart rate data together with pre/post urine specific gravity and color. The TSIs were evaluated against 17 published criteria covering physiological parameters, practicality, cost effectiveness, and health guidance issues. Simple meteorological parameters explained only a fraction of the variance in physiological heat strain (R2 = 0.016 to 0.427; p < 0.001), reflecting the importance of adopting more sophisticated TSIs. Nearly all TSIs correlated with mean skin temperature (98%), mean body temperature (97%), and heart rate (92%), while 66% of TSIs correlated with the magnitude of dehydration and 59% correlated with core body temperature (r = 0.031 to 0.602; p < 0.05). When evaluated against the 17 published criteria, the TSIs scored from 4.7 to 55.4% (max score = 100%). The indoor (55.4%) and outdoor (55.1%) Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature and the Universal Thermal Climate Index (51.7%) scored higher compared to other TSIs (4.7 to 42.0%). Therefore, these three TSIs have the highest potential to assess the physiological strain experienced by individuals working in the heat.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonidas G. Ioannou
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lydia Tsoutsoubi
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Mantzios
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | - Maria Vliora
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | - Eleni Nintou
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | - Jacob F. Piil
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Petros C. Dinas
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | | | - George Havenith
- Environmental Ergonomics Research Centre, Loughborough Design School, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - Matt Brearley
- National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
- Thermal Hyperformance, Pty Ltd, Takura, Qld, Australia
| | - Igor B. Mekjavic
- Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jozef Stefan Institute, Slovenia
| | - Glen P. Kenny
- Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Lars Nybo
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas D. Flouris
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
- Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ioannou LG, Dinas PC, Notley SR, Gofa F, Gourzoulidis GA, Brearley M, Epstein Y, Havenith G, Sawka MN, Bröde P, Mekjavic IB, Kenny GP, Bernard TE, Nybo L, Flouris AD. Indicators to assess physiological heat strain - Part 2: Delphi exercise. Temperature (Austin) 2022; 9:263-273. [PMID: 36211947 PMCID: PMC9542877 DOI: 10.1080/23328940.2022.2044738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In a series of three companion papers published in this Journal, we identify and validate the available thermal stress indicators (TSIs). In this second paper of the series, we identified the criteria to consider when adopting a TSI to protect individuals who work in the heat, and we weighed their relative importance using a Delphi exercise with 20 experts. Two Delphi iterations were adequate to reach consensus within the expert panel (Cronbach's α = 0.86) for a set of 17 criteria with varying weights that should be considered when adopting a TSI to protect individuals who work in the heat. These criteria considered physiological parameters such as core/skin/mean body temperature, heart rate, and hydration status, as well as practicality, cost effectiveness, and health guidance issues. The 17 criteria were distributed across three occupational health-and-safety pillars: (i) contribution to improving occupational health (55% of total importance), (ii) mitigation of worker physiological strain (35.5% of total importance), and (iii) cost-effectiveness (9.5% of total importance). Three criteria [(i) relationship of a TSI with core temperature, (ii) having categories indicating the level of heat stress experienced by workers, and (iii) using its heat stress categories to provide recommendations for occupational safety and health] were considered significantly more important when selecting a TSI for protecting individuals who work in the heat, accumulating 37.2 percentage points. These 17 criteria allow the validation and comparison of TSIs that presently exist as well as those that may be developed in the coming years.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonidas G. Ioannou
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Petros C. Dinas
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | - Sean R. Notley
- Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Flora Gofa
- Hellenic National Meteorological Service, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Matt Brearley
- National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
- Thermal Hyperformance, Pty Ltd, Takura, Australia
| | - Yoram Epstein
- Heller Institute of Medical Research, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan and the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - George Havenith
- Environmental Ergonomics Research Centre, Loughborough Design School, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - Michael N. Sawka
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Peter Bröde
- Department of Immunology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADO), Dortmund, Germany
| | - Igor B. Mekjavic
- Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Glen P. Kenny
- Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Thomas E. Bernard
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Lars Nybo
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas D. Flouris
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
- Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
MANTZIOS KONSTANTINOS, IOANNOU LEONIDASG, PANAGIOTAKI ZOE, ZIAKA STYLIANI, PÉRIARD JULIEND, RACINAIS SÉBASTIEN, NYBO LARS, FLOURIS ANDREASD. Effects of Weather Parameters on Endurance Running Performance: Discipline-specific Analysis of 1258 Races. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2022; 54:153-161. [PMID: 34652333 PMCID: PMC8677617 DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000002769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study evaluated how single or combinations of weather parameters (temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar load) affect peak performance during endurance running events and identified which events are most vulnerable to varying weather conditions. METHODS Results for the marathon, 50-km racewalking, 20-km racewalking, and 10,000-, 5000-, and 3000-m steeplechase were obtained from the official Web sites of large competitions. We identified meteorological data from nearby (8.9 ± 9.3 km) weather stations for 1258 races held between 1936 and 2019 across 42 countries, enabling analysis of 7867 athletes. RESULTS The wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) across races ranged from -7°C to 33°C, with 27% of races taking place in cold/cool, 47% in neutral, 18% in moderate heat, 7% in high heat, and 1% in extreme heat conditions, according to the World Athletics classification. Machine learning decision trees (R2 = 0.21-0.58) showed that air temperature (importance score = 40%) was the most important weather parameter. However, when used alone, air temperature had lower predictive power (R2 = 0.04-0.34) than WBGT (R2 = 0.11-0.47). Conditions of 7.5°C-15°C WBGT (or 10°C-17.5°C air temperature) increased the likelihood for peak performance. For every degree WBGT outside these optimum conditions, performance declined by 0.3%-0.4%. CONCLUSION More than one-quarter of endurance running events were held in moderate, high, or extreme heat, and this number reached one-half when marathons were excluded. All four weather parameters should be evaluated when aiming to mitigate the health and performance implications of exercising at high intensities in a hot environment with athletes adopting heat mitigation strategies when possible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- KONSTANTINOS MANTZIOS
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, GREECE
| | - LEONIDAS G. IOANNOU
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, GREECE
| | - ZOE PANAGIOTAKI
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, GREECE
| | - STYLIANI ZIAKA
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, GREECE
| | - JULIEN D. PÉRIARD
- University of Canberra, Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, Canberra, AUSTRALIA
| | - SÉBASTIEN RACINAIS
- Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Research and Scientific Support Department, Doha, QATAR
| | - LARS NYBO
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Section for Integrative Physiology, University of Copenhagen, DENMARK
| | - ANDREAS D. FLOURIS
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, GREECE
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Campbell-Staton SC, Walker RH, Rogers SA, De León J, Landecker H, Porter W, Mathewson PD, Long RA. Physiological costs of undocumented human migration across the southern United States border. Science 2021; 374:1496-1500. [PMID: 34914507 DOI: 10.1126/science.abh1924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shane C Campbell-Staton
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Institute for Society and Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Reena H Walker
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Savannah A Rogers
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Jason De León
- Department of Anthropology and Chicana, Chicano, and Central American Studies, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hannah Landecker
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Sociology Department, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Warren Porter
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Paul D Mathewson
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Ryan A Long
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Piil JF, Kingma B, Morris NB, Christiansen L, Ioannou LG, Flouris AD, Nybo L. Proposed framework for forecasting heat-effects on motor-cognitive performance in the Summer Olympics. Temperature (Austin) 2021; 8:262-283. [PMID: 34485620 PMCID: PMC8409751 DOI: 10.1080/23328940.2021.1957367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Heat strain impairs performance across a broad spectrum of sport disciplines. The impeding effects of hyperthermia and dehydration are often ascribed to compromised cardiovascular and muscular functioning, but expert performance also depends on appropriately tuned sensory, motor and cognitive processes. Considering that hyperthermia has implications for central nervous system (CNS) function and fatigue, it is highly relevant to analyze how heat stress forecasted for the upcoming Olympics may influence athletes. This paper proposes and demonstrates the use of a framework combining expected weather conditions with a heat strain and motor-cognitive model to analyze the impact of heat and associated factors on discipline- and scenario-specific performances during the Tokyo 2021 games. We pinpoint that hyperthermia-induced central fatigue may affect prolonged performances and analyze how hyperthermia may impair complex motor-cognitive performance, especially when accompanied by either moderate dehydration or exposure to severe solar radiation. Interestingly, several short explosive performances may benefit from faster cross-bridge contraction velocities at higher muscle temperatures in sport disciplines with little or no negative heat-effect on CNS fatigue or motor-cognitive performance. In the analyses of scenarios and Olympic sport disciplines, we consider thermal impacts on “motor-cognitive factors” such as decision-making, maximal and fine motor-activation as well as the influence on central fatigue and pacing. From this platform, we also provide perspectives on how athletes and coaches can identify risks for their event and potentially mitigate negative motor-cognitive effects for and optimize performance in the environmental settings projected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Feder Piil
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Section for Integrative Physiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Boris Kingma
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.,TNO, the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, Unit Defense, Safety & Security, Soesterberg, The Netherlands
| | - Nathan B Morris
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Section for Integrative Physiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lasse Christiansen
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Leonidas G Ioannou
- FAME Laboratory, School of Exercise Science, University of Thessaly, Thessaly, Greece
| | - Andreas D Flouris
- FAME Laboratory, School of Exercise Science, University of Thessaly, Thessaly, Greece
| | - Lars Nybo
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Section for Integrative Physiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Ioannou LG, Tsoutsoubi L, Mantzios K, Gkikas G, Piil JF, Dinas PC, Notley SR, Kenny GP, Nybo L, Flouris AD. The Impacts of Sun Exposure on Worker Physiology and Cognition: Multi-Country Evidence and Interventions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:7698. [PMID: 34300148 PMCID: PMC8303297 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18147698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A set of four case-control (n = 109), randomized-controlled (n = 7), cross-sectional (n = 78), and intervention (n = 47) studies was conducted across three countries to investigate the effects of sun exposure on worker physiology and cognition. METHODS Physiological, subjective, and cognitive performance data were collected from people working in ambient conditions characterized by the same thermal stress but different solar radiation levels. RESULTS People working under the sun were more likely to experience dizziness, weakness, and other symptoms of heat strain. These clinical impacts of sun exposure were not accompanied by changes in core body temperature but, instead, were linked with changes in skin temperature. Other physiological responses (heart rate, skin blood flow, and sweat rate) were also increased during sun exposure, while attention and vigilance were reduced by 45% and 67%, respectively, compared to exposure to a similar thermal stress without sunlight. Light-colored clothes reduced workers' skin temperature by 12-13% compared to darker-colored clothes. CONCLUSIONS Working under the sun worsens the physiological heat strain experienced and compromises cognitive function, even when the level of heat stress is thought to be the same as being in the shade. Wearing light-colored clothes can limit the physiological heat strain experienced by the body.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonidas G. Ioannou
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.G.I.); (L.T.); (K.M.); (G.G.); (P.C.D.)
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (J.F.P.); (L.N.)
| | - Lydia Tsoutsoubi
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.G.I.); (L.T.); (K.M.); (G.G.); (P.C.D.)
| | - Konstantinos Mantzios
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.G.I.); (L.T.); (K.M.); (G.G.); (P.C.D.)
| | - Giorgos Gkikas
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.G.I.); (L.T.); (K.M.); (G.G.); (P.C.D.)
| | - Jacob F. Piil
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (J.F.P.); (L.N.)
| | - Petros C. Dinas
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.G.I.); (L.T.); (K.M.); (G.G.); (P.C.D.)
| | - Sean R. Notley
- Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (S.R.N.); (G.P.K.)
| | - Glen P. Kenny
- Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (S.R.N.); (G.P.K.)
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Lars Nybo
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (J.F.P.); (L.N.)
| | - Andreas D. Flouris
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.G.I.); (L.T.); (K.M.); (G.G.); (P.C.D.)
- Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (S.R.N.); (G.P.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Ioannou LG, Mantzios K, Tsoutsoubi L, Nintou E, Vliora M, Gkiata P, Dallas CN, Gkikas G, Agaliotis G, Sfakianakis K, Kapnia AK, Testa DJ, Amorim T, Dinas PC, Mayor TS, Gao C, Nybo L, Flouris AD. Occupational Heat Stress: Multi-Country Observations and Interventions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:6303. [PMID: 34200783 PMCID: PMC8296111 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18126303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Occupational heat exposure can provoke health problems that increase the risk of certain diseases and affect workers' ability to maintain healthy and productive lives. This study investigates the effects of occupational heat stress on workers' physiological strain and labor productivity, as well as examining multiple interventions to mitigate the problem. METHODS We monitored 518 full work-shifts obtained from 238 experienced and acclimatized individuals who work in key industrial sectors located in Cyprus, Greece, Qatar, and Spain. Continuous core body temperature, mean skin temperature, heart rate, and labor productivity were collected from the beginning to the end of all work-shifts. RESULTS In workplaces where self-pacing is not feasible or very limited, we found that occupational heat stress is associated with the heat strain experienced by workers. Strategies focusing on hydration, work-rest cycles, and ventilated clothing were able to mitigate the physiological heat strain experienced by workers. Increasing mechanization enhanced labor productivity without increasing workers' physiological strain. CONCLUSIONS Empowering laborers to self-pace is the basis of heat mitigation, while tailored strategies focusing on hydration, work-rest cycles, ventilated garments, and mechanization can further reduce the physiological heat strain experienced by workers under certain conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonidas G. Ioannou
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.G.I.); (K.M.); (L.T.); (E.N.); (M.V.); (P.G.); (C.N.D.); (G.G.); (G.A.); (K.S.); (A.K.K.); (D.J.T.); (T.A.); (P.C.D.)
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Konstantinos Mantzios
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.G.I.); (K.M.); (L.T.); (E.N.); (M.V.); (P.G.); (C.N.D.); (G.G.); (G.A.); (K.S.); (A.K.K.); (D.J.T.); (T.A.); (P.C.D.)
| | - Lydia Tsoutsoubi
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.G.I.); (K.M.); (L.T.); (E.N.); (M.V.); (P.G.); (C.N.D.); (G.G.); (G.A.); (K.S.); (A.K.K.); (D.J.T.); (T.A.); (P.C.D.)
| | - Eleni Nintou
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.G.I.); (K.M.); (L.T.); (E.N.); (M.V.); (P.G.); (C.N.D.); (G.G.); (G.A.); (K.S.); (A.K.K.); (D.J.T.); (T.A.); (P.C.D.)
| | - Maria Vliora
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.G.I.); (K.M.); (L.T.); (E.N.); (M.V.); (P.G.); (C.N.D.); (G.G.); (G.A.); (K.S.); (A.K.K.); (D.J.T.); (T.A.); (P.C.D.)
| | - Paraskevi Gkiata
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.G.I.); (K.M.); (L.T.); (E.N.); (M.V.); (P.G.); (C.N.D.); (G.G.); (G.A.); (K.S.); (A.K.K.); (D.J.T.); (T.A.); (P.C.D.)
| | - Constantinos N. Dallas
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.G.I.); (K.M.); (L.T.); (E.N.); (M.V.); (P.G.); (C.N.D.); (G.G.); (G.A.); (K.S.); (A.K.K.); (D.J.T.); (T.A.); (P.C.D.)
| | - Giorgos Gkikas
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.G.I.); (K.M.); (L.T.); (E.N.); (M.V.); (P.G.); (C.N.D.); (G.G.); (G.A.); (K.S.); (A.K.K.); (D.J.T.); (T.A.); (P.C.D.)
| | - Gerasimos Agaliotis
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.G.I.); (K.M.); (L.T.); (E.N.); (M.V.); (P.G.); (C.N.D.); (G.G.); (G.A.); (K.S.); (A.K.K.); (D.J.T.); (T.A.); (P.C.D.)
| | - Kostas Sfakianakis
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.G.I.); (K.M.); (L.T.); (E.N.); (M.V.); (P.G.); (C.N.D.); (G.G.); (G.A.); (K.S.); (A.K.K.); (D.J.T.); (T.A.); (P.C.D.)
| | - Areti K. Kapnia
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.G.I.); (K.M.); (L.T.); (E.N.); (M.V.); (P.G.); (C.N.D.); (G.G.); (G.A.); (K.S.); (A.K.K.); (D.J.T.); (T.A.); (P.C.D.)
| | - Davide J. Testa
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.G.I.); (K.M.); (L.T.); (E.N.); (M.V.); (P.G.); (C.N.D.); (G.G.); (G.A.); (K.S.); (A.K.K.); (D.J.T.); (T.A.); (P.C.D.)
| | - Tânia Amorim
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.G.I.); (K.M.); (L.T.); (E.N.); (M.V.); (P.G.); (C.N.D.); (G.G.); (G.A.); (K.S.); (A.K.K.); (D.J.T.); (T.A.); (P.C.D.)
| | - Petros C. Dinas
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.G.I.); (K.M.); (L.T.); (E.N.); (M.V.); (P.G.); (C.N.D.); (G.G.); (G.A.); (K.S.); (A.K.K.); (D.J.T.); (T.A.); (P.C.D.)
| | - Tiago S. Mayor
- SIMTECH Laboratory, Transport Phenomena Research Centre, Engineering Faculty of Porto University, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Chuansi Gao
- Thermal Environment Laboratory, Division of Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Department of Design Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden;
| | - Lars Nybo
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Andreas D. Flouris
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece; (L.G.I.); (K.M.); (L.T.); (E.N.); (M.V.); (P.G.); (C.N.D.); (G.G.); (G.A.); (K.S.); (A.K.K.); (D.J.T.); (T.A.); (P.C.D.)
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Ioannou LG, Mantzios K, Tsoutsoubi L, Panagiotaki Z, Kapnia AK, Ciuha U, Nybo L, Flouris AD, Mekjavic IB. Effect of a Simulated Heat Wave on Physiological Strain and Labour Productivity. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:3011. [PMID: 33804091 PMCID: PMC7998810 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18063011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a simulated heat-wave on the labour productivity and physiological strain experienced by workers. METHODS Seven males were confined for ten days in controlled ambient conditions. A familiarisation day was followed by three (pre, during, and post-heat-wave) 3-day periods. During each day volunteers participated in a simulated work-shift incorporating two physical activity sessions each followed by a session of assembly line task. Conditions were hot (work: 35.4 °C; rest: 26.3 °C) during, and temperate (work: 25.4 °C; rest: 22.3 °C) pre and post the simulated heat-wave. Physiological, biological, behavioural, and subjective data were collected throughout the study. RESULTS The simulated heat-wave undermined human capacity for work by increasing the number of mistakes committed, time spent on unplanned breaks, and the physiological strain experienced by the participants. Early adaptations were able to mitigate the observed implications on the second and third days of the heat-wave, as well as impacting positively on the post-heat-wave period. CONCLUSIONS Here, we show for first time that a controlled simulated heat-wave increases workers' physiological strain and reduces labour productivity on the first day, but it promotes adaptations mitigating the observed implications during the subsequent days.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonidas G. Ioannou
- Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jozef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (U.C.); (I.B.M.)
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42131 Trikala, Greece; (K.M.); (L.T.); (Z.P.); (A.K.K.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Konstantinos Mantzios
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42131 Trikala, Greece; (K.M.); (L.T.); (Z.P.); (A.K.K.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Lydia Tsoutsoubi
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42131 Trikala, Greece; (K.M.); (L.T.); (Z.P.); (A.K.K.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Zoe Panagiotaki
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42131 Trikala, Greece; (K.M.); (L.T.); (Z.P.); (A.K.K.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Areti K. Kapnia
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42131 Trikala, Greece; (K.M.); (L.T.); (Z.P.); (A.K.K.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Ursa Ciuha
- Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jozef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (U.C.); (I.B.M.)
| | - Lars Nybo
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Andreas D. Flouris
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42131 Trikala, Greece; (K.M.); (L.T.); (Z.P.); (A.K.K.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Igor B. Mekjavic
- Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jozef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (U.C.); (I.B.M.)
| |
Collapse
|