Thermal Mapping Following Exercise In A Hyperthermic Environment While Wearing Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment

PURPOSE: The present experiment sought to establish a thermal map of the body immediately following exercise in a hyperthermic environment (EHE) while wearing firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE). Our previous research has demonstrated that exercise in these hyperthermic conditions results in decreased neural function and non-optimal response inhibition. No studies have sought to determine the areas of the body and PPE that get the hottest during the EHE task. Here, we hypothesized that EHE would result in the head and helmet getting the hottest in comparison to other regions of the body. METHODS: Sixteen participants (14 males, 2 females) performed a graded-exercise walking treadmill protocol in an environmental chamber (35 °C; 50% humidity) in PPE until completing the protocol or reaching a volitional maximum. Thermal images of the body and PPE were acquired using an infrared thermal camera before and immediately post-EHE. RESULTS: Infrared thermography revealed increased surface body and equipment temperature pre- versus post-EHE. The most significant temperature changes were observed at the head (pre: 34.5 ± 0.5 °C; post: 37.2 ± 0.2 °C; p < 0.001) and within the helmet (pre: 28.3 ± 0.7 °C; post: 37.3 ± 0.4 °C; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This research demonstrated that the head and the inside of the helmet are the hottest areas post-EHE. Although speculative, these results could help to explain the cognitive issues discovered in our previous research. Further research is necessary to confirm the association between the heat in the head and the cognitive decline.