| Keywords |
Firefighters ; Heat strain ; Simulated firefighting tasks ; Body cooling garment ; Efficiency of performance |
| Abstract |
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the efficiency of mobility of newly-developed Nomex cooling pack shirt inside firefighting personal protective equipment (FPPE) during simulated firefighting tasks. Sixteen firefighters participated in the following four experimental conditions: FPPE (Control), cooling vest A + FPPE (Vest A), cooling vest B + FPPE (Vest B), and Nomex cooling shirt + FPPE (Nomex cooling shirt). As a result, there were no significant differences in completion time, heart rate, total sweat rate, and blood lactate acid among the four conditions. Clothing microclimate temperature on the chest was lower for Nomex cooling shirt (31.2 ± 1.1oC) than Control (33.6 ± 0.8oC) or Vest A (33.5 ± 0.9oC) (P<0.001). Clothing microclimate humidity and sweat sensation showed no differences among the 4 conditions. Firefighters expressed less hot and less uncomfortable for Nomex cooling shirt and Vest B compared to Vest A and Control (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in mass perception among Vest A, B and Nomex cooling shirt, while Nomex cooling shirt was perceived as less stiffness than Vest A and B. In conclusion, wearing Nomex cooling shirt inside FPPE did not interrupt firefighters' mobility and improved thermal sensation and comfort. |