Effect of Work Loan and Respirator Wear on Postural Stability, Heart Rate, and Perceived Exertion

Abstract

The effects on postural stability (sway) were investigated for different work loads under conditions of wearing a full facepiece respirator and not wearing any respiratory protection device. Fifteen subjects accomplished light (40 W), moderate (85 W), and heavy (125 W) work loads under the two conditions. Measurements of postural sway were made immediately after each load by using a multicomponent, strain gage-type force platform. Changes in each subject's movement pattern of the center of pressure were quantitated and compared to their initial baseline sway tests. Each subject's heart rate and perceived exertion were also recorded during each condition. A statistically significant effect (p = 0.007) caused by work load was observed for total length of sway with or without a respirator. An interaction approaching statistical significance (p = 0.056) between work load and respirator use was found. This indicated that sway increased more quickly and in a more consistently linear fashion with increasing work load under the respirator condition (p = 0.02) compared to the nonrespirator condition. The results from the respirator condition showed linear increases in postural sway length across the entire range of work loads, but sway length in the nonrespirator condition showed an increase only at 125-W work loads. The greater increase in sway during the postural balance test could be attributable to the increasing work load-induced proprioceptive fatigue effect on the nervous system's ability to process signals from proprioception systems incongruent with body sway. The heart rate was significantly higher during respirator wear (an increase in heart rate averaging 5.62 beats/min).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of foot placement on postural stability of construction workers on stilts

“…Some researchers suggested that sway length may not be a good parameter to evaluate postural balance; instead, sway length may be a good indicator for the evaluation of psychological and physiological workload, and fatigue-related sensory and functional variability (Holbein-Jenny et al, 2007;Seliga et al, 1991).…”

The influence of exercise and dehydration on postural stability

“…In consequence, exercise and dehydration may impair postural equilibrium by inducing changes in one or more of the links in the postural control chain. Seliga et al (1991) postulated that central fatigue (diminished central nervous system stimulation to muscle) an d localized muscular fatigue are associated with increases in sway am plitude. According to Lundin et al (1993), decreased stability may result from local fatigue in leg muscles around the ankle.…”

“…Seliga et al (1991) reported that low intensity cycling exercise had a short-term detrimental eOE ect on postural stability. It is therefore im portant to determ ine whether fatigue and / or body water loss resulting from physical or thermal stress have an in¯uence on postural stability.…”

The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Thermal Protective Clothing on Functional Balance in Firefighters

“…Protective eyewear can reduce visual fields and clarity and facemasks or respirators may impair visual sensory input, requiring the wearer to use compensating strategies to maintain or regain postural stability (Punakallio, Lusa, & Luukkonen, 2003; Seliga et al, 1991; Wade, Weimer, & David, 2004). While TPC appears to be associated with impaired balance, it is difficult to reconcile the conclusions of these studies due to the varied tests of balance, experimental conditions, and the evolution of TPC and SCBA design.…”