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Monitoring heat strain: the effect of sensor type and location on single-site and mean skin temperature during work in the heat

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Abstract

Purpose

Elevations in skin temperature and heat strain reduce tolerance to work in the heat. This study assessed agreement between mean (eight sites) and single-site skin temperature, measured by a conductive or infrared sensor, during exercise in the heat.

Methods

Twelve males (age: 24.2 ± 3.7 years; height: 180 ± 6.5 cm; body mass: 82.9 ± 9.5 kg; body fat: 16.0 ± 6.5%) volunteered to participate in two trials. Thirty minutes of seated rest was followed by 60 min of treadmill walking (4.5 km·h−1, 1%) inside an environmental chamber (35.5 ± 0.2 °C dry bulb, 50.7 ± 2.5% relative humidity) wearing either an athletic (ATH: t-shirt, shorts, shoes) or a chemical protective ensemble (CPE: ATH plus coverall and respirator). Skin temperature was measured on the axilla with a conductive sensor (Tsk-C) and an infrared sensor (Tsk-I) and compared to mean skin temperature (\({\overline{{\text{T}}}}_{{\text{sk}}},\) 8-site conductive sensors). Rectal temperature and heart rate were measured and used to calculate the adaptive physiological strain index (aPSI).

Results

Skin temperature on the chest, scapula, and thigh showed acceptable agreement with \({\overline{{\text{T}}}}_{{\text{sk}}}\) (mean difference < 0.5 °C and limits of agreement ± 1.0 °C) in both ATH and CPE. Skin temperature on the axilla overestimated \({\overline{{\text{T}}}}_{{\text{sk}}}\) in ATH (Tsk-C: 1.5 ± 0.8 °C; Tsk-I: 2.2 ± 1.2 °C) and CPE (Tsk-C: 1.1 ± 0.9 °C; Tsk-I: 1.8 ± 1.1 °C). Significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed in aPSI using Tsk-I (ATH: 5.7 ± 1.0, CPE: 8.3 ± 1.1) and Tsk-C (ATH: 5.4 ± 1.0, CPE 7.8 ± 1.0) compared to \({\overline{{\text{T}}}}_{{\text{sk}}}\) (ATH: 5.2 ± 1.0, CPE: 7.4 ± 1.0).

Conclusion

The overestimate of mean skin temperature had a significant influence on the aPSI, which has important implications for real-time monitoring and risk management of personnel working in hot environments.

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Funding

No funding was received for this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Brisbane, QLD, 4059, Australia

    Benjamin L. MacLean, Kendal MacLean, Ian B. Stewart & Andrew P. Hunt

  2. Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Ian B. Stewart & Andrew P. Hunt

  3. Department of Defence, Defence Science and Technology Group, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Andrew P. Hunt

Authors
  1. Benjamin L. MacLean
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  2. Kendal MacLean
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  3. Ian B. Stewart
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  4. Andrew P. Hunt
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Contributions

AH and IS contributed to the conception and design of the study. BM, KM, and AH contributed to the acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of data. BM and AH were responsible for drafting the manuscript, and all authors were engaged in revising it critically for important intellectual content. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. All persons designated as authors qualify for authorship, and all those who qualify for authorship are listed.

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Correspondence to Andrew P. Hunt.

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MacLean, B.L., MacLean, K., Stewart, I.B. et al. Monitoring heat strain: the effect of sensor type and location on single-site and mean skin temperature during work in the heat. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 94, 539–546 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-020-01600-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-020-01600-y

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