The effects of protective clothing on energy consumption during different activities

Abstract

Protective clothing (PPC) can have negative effects on worker performance. Currently little is known about the metabolic effects of PPC and previous work has been limited to a few garments and simple walking or stepping. This study investigated the effects of a wide range of PPC on energy consumption during different activities. It is hypothesized that wearing PPC would significantly increase metabolic rate, disproportionally to its weight, during walking, stepping and an obstacle course. Measuring a person's oxygen consumption during work can give an indirect, but accurate estimate of energy expenditure (metabolic rate). Oxygen consumption was measured during the performance of continuous walking and stepping, and an obstacle course in 14 different PPC ensembles. Increases in perceived exertion and in metabolic rate (2.4-20.9%) when wearing a range of PPC garments compared to a control condition were seen, with increases above 10% being significant (P < 0.05). More than half of the increase could not be attributed to ensemble weight.

Benchmarking Functionality of Historical Cold Weather Clothing: Robert F Scott, Roald Amundsen, George Mallory

“…The higher weight of the Scott clothing thus is an issue, but would not be enough to explain the observations. Recent work by Dorman and Havenith [1] has demonstrated that weight is only one part of the effect of clothing on metabolic energy consumption. They observed how clothing stiffness, layering and bulkiness can add dramatically to the load.…”

Fire service instructor's undergarment choice to reduce Interleukin-6 and minimise physiological and perceptual strain

“…During this investigation an average increase of 19 8 and 16 1 in prod was exhibited when wearing BOILER compared to SHORTS and WBL, respectively, however prod was subject to large individual variation. This is a greater rise than that noted by Dorman & Havenith (2009), however other factors are likely to have influenced this increase in addition to the weight of the garments, for instance the material type, the air layers created, and the material thickness. The greater the garment thickness the slower the rate of perspiration and moisture vapour transfer to the garment surface (Roberts et al 2007).…”

“…Heavier garments result in increased metabolic rate, with a 2.7% increase per kg of clothing weight having previously been suggested (Dorman & Havenith 2009), consequently increasing the physiological strain an individual experiences. During this investigation an average increase of 19 8 and 16 1 in prod was exhibited when wearing BOILER compared to SHORTS and WBL, respectively, however prod was subject to large individual variation.…”

A Review of Technology of Personal Heating Garments

“…However, it may be difficult to estimate the need for the required number of garments for various environmental conditions. Another problem is related to increased bulk of a clothing ensemble with a greater number of garments, which will limit body movement, manual dexterity and reduce human performance [11]. This review describes five types of PHGs; it analyses and discusses their advantages and disadvantages.…”