Age‐Related Physiological Responses to Working in Deep Cold

Abstract

Professional order‐picking in deep cold‐storage depots (i.e., storing, picking, and dispatching of frozen groceries) requires employees to remain working at temperatures of approximately −24°C for a whole workday. Actually, a well‐regulated organization of working times and breaks has not been established, and no competent knowledge exists as to whether an additional age‐differentiated organization is necessary. To assess the physiological effects while working in deep cold, 30 male subjects (Ss) were classified into two age groups (20‐ to 35‐year‐olds and 40‐ to 65‐year‐olds). In whole workday tests, possible age‐dependent effects on the strain were measured to guarantee the preservation of the subjects' ability to work in the long run. For the objectification of the physiological strain, heart rate and skin surface temperature were registered continuously, and blood pressure and body core temperature were measured and recorded discretely during cold exposures of 80, 100, and 120 min, separated by 20‐min warming‐up breaks. Systematic differences of blood pressure could not be found. The heart rate values indicated a high physiological strain for both younger and older Ss, with work‐related increases above the resting level of 30 bpm and more. Due to increases over time, endurance level sometimes was exceeded. Age‐related differences in skin temperature could not be recorded, but the ability to generate heat deteriorated with advancing age, which is shown by more substantial decreases of body core temperature in the group of 40‐ to 65‐year‐olds taken at the tympanum. Regarding physiological strain brought about by maximum heart rate decreasing with age and declined heat generation, correspondingly adapted workday break regimes have to be provided for older employees to ensure their ability to work in the long run. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effectiveness of warm-up interventions on work-related musculoskeletal disorders, physical and psychosocial functions among workers: a systematic review

“… 39 84–86 Two studies were also excluded because physical exercises were performed during the working day or lunch break and therefore do not correspond to the definition of warm-up intervention. 87 89 Another study was excluded because the intervention was not considered as warm-up. 88 Finally, one study was a retrospective study without a control group.…”

“…During the full-text assessment, eight studies were excluded 39 46 84–89. Four studies were excluded because the warm-up intervention was part of a bigger programme and could not be assessed separately 39 84–86.…”

“…Four studies were excluded because the warm-up intervention was part of a bigger programme and could not be assessed separately 39 84–86. Two studies were also excluded because physical exercises were performed during the working day or lunch break and therefore do not correspond to the definition of warm-up intervention 87 89. Another study was excluded because the intervention was not considered as warm-up 88.…”

The effects of short‐term and long‐term exposure to extreme cold environment on the body’s physiological responses: An experimental study

“…The main feature of the developed empirical model is that it takes into account some individual characteristics. It should be noted that cooling risk is also dependent on human factors such as cigarette smoking, physical fitness, daily diet, and cold exposure time (Kluth, Penzkofer, & Strasser, ). Complementary studies can be performed on secondary factors affecting cold tolerance of workers in extreme cold environments.…”

Grocery shelf stocking tool: analysis of productivity and human factors

“…Grocery store tasks provide many opportunities for efficiency and ergonomic improvements. (Conway and Svenson, 2001;Wasilewski et al, 2007;Sengupta, 2010;Kluth, et al, 2013) This paper details an analysis performed to evaluate the effectiveness of a grocery store shelf stocking tool. The shelf stocking tool is a device designed to improve the accuracy and efficiency of stocking and fronting center store shelves in a grocery store or a similar retail environment.…”