Self-Pacing as a Protective Mechanism against the Effects of Heat Stress
Objective: Self-pacing or avoidance of physiological strain by adjustment of work rate may be an important protective behaviour for manual workers in severe thermal conditions. Data were gathered at a number of industrial sites in the United Arab Emirates to assess whether self-pacing takes place in...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Published: |
Oxford University Press
2011
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/27163 |
| Summary: | Objective: Self-pacing or avoidance of physiological strain by adjustment of work rate may be an important protective behaviour for manual workers in severe thermal conditions. Data were gathered at a number of industrial sites in the United Arab Emirates to assess whether self-pacing takes place in these workers. Methods: Heart rate and aural temperature were monitored in 150 subjects for 12 h daily over 2 consecutive days. Environmental parameters were measured for quantification of heat stress by the thermal work limit. Results: There was no evidence of an effect of variation in environmental thermal stress on either average working heart rate or aural temperature. Conclusion: These studies provide evidence that self-pacing is a protective response to working in heat which does not require a highly informed workforce; recognition of this should form part of a holistic approach to management of heat stress in hot climates. |
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