Cardiorespiratory and thermoregulatory response of working in fire-fighter protective clothing in a temperate environment

The cardiorespiratory and thermal responses of two intensities of treadmill exercise were compared for brief periods (12 min) in fire ensemble (FE) but without self contained breathing apparatus, and sports ensemble (SE), in a temperature environment. A further experiment explored the responses of subjects exercising in FE over a prolonged period (60 min). Eighteen male fire-fighters wearing either FE or SE walked on a level treadmill for 6 min at 5 km.h(-1) increasing to 7 km.h(-1) for 6 min. Following a recovery interval of 1 h, the exercise protocol was repeated in the second ensemble; the order of ensemble was balanced. Heart rate (HR), rectal temperature (T-re), (V) over dot O-2 max and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were monitored continuously under both ensembles. At 7 km.h(-1), (V) over dot O-2 was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in FE (36.1 and 39.9 ml.kg(-1).min(-1)) than in SE and represented 74% (V) over dot O-2 max. There were no changes T-re. In experiment 2, following a rest interval of at least 36 h, eight subjects in FE walked on the treadmill at 6 km.h(-1) (gradient 10%) for 60-min also in temperate conditions, where HR, T-re and RPE were recorded at 10-min intervals. During the 60-min exercise in FE, HR reached 161 beats.min(-1) and T-re increased to 38.3 degrees C. Despite considerable subject discomfort, T-re remained below dangerous levels (38.4 degrees C). When RPE were compared with a physiological strain index (PSI) calculated from T-re and HR data over 60 min, there was no significant difference (p < 0.05) with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.98. The results suggest that RPE and PSI are closely related when exercise is sufficiently prolonged or intense to elevate T-re and HR in fire-fighters wearing FE in temperate conditions. If further investigation confirms this relationship for hot humid conditions in which fire-fighters operate, then with training, it may provide individuals with a valid measure of dangerous levels of perceived heat strain.