International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

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Dr. Riana R. Pryor

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Guest Editor

Center for Research and Education in Special Environments, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
Interests: the impact of extreme environments on worker and Warfighter health and safety

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The warming global climate and projected increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events places humans at an increased risk of potentially detrimental health burdens. An increase in the frequency and severity of heat waves, hurricanes, wildfires, and similar weather events will contribute to the ever-evolving need to understand the impact of climate and weather on health, create evidence-based solutions to prevent detrimental health impacts, and support resiliency efforts to adapt to our new normal. These topics are not only important for healthy populations across different lifespans, but are particularly important for populations spending extended time outdoors, such as laborers and military members. Further, clinical populations, including individuals with cardiovascular disease, pulmonary conditions, overweight/obesity, and metabolic disorders, can be at a greater risk of health impacts due to extreme weather. The purpose of this Special Issue is to highlight emerging research on the impact of extreme weather and climate on acute and long-term outcomes of human health, and emerging strategies to maintain a healthy population in the face of a changing climate.

Dr. Riana R. Pryor
Guest Editor

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Keywords

extreme weather
climate change
environment
heat wave
thermoregulation
pollution
health and well-being

Published Papers (1 paper)

Research

13 pages, 1449 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Plateau in Core Temperature during Shorter but Not Longer Work/Rest Cycles in Heat

by Joseph P. Bachraty, JianBo Qiao, Elizabeth S. Powers, Lesley W. Vandermark, J. Luke Pryor and Riana R. Pryor

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(3), 371; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21030371 - 20 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1253

Abstract

This study compared physiological responses to two work/rest cycles of a 2:1 work-to-rest ratio in a hot environment. In a randomized crossover design, fourteen participants completed 120 min of walking and rest in the heat (36.3 ± 0.6 °C, 30.2 ± 4.0% relative humidity). Work/rest cycles were (1) 40 min work/20 min rest [40/20], or (2) 20 min work/10 min rest [20/10], both completing identical work. Core temperature (T_c), skin temperature (T_sk), heart rate (HR), nude body mass, and perception of work were collected. Comparisons were made between trials at equal durations of work using three-way mixed model ANOVA. T_c plateaued in [20/10] during the second hour of work (p = 0.93), while T_c increased in [40/20] (p < 0.01). There was no difference in maximum T_c ([40/20]: 38.08 ± 0.35 °C, [20/10]: 37.99 ± 0.27 °C, p = 0.22) or end-of-work T_sk ([40/20]: 36.1 ± 0.8 °C, [20/10]: 36.0 ± 0.7 °C, p = 0.45). End-of-work HR was greater in [40/20] (145 ± 25 b·min⁻¹) compared to [20/10] (141 ± 27 b·min⁻¹, p = 0.04). Shorter work/rest cycles caused a plateau in T_c while longer work/rest cycles resulted in a continued increase in T_c throughout the work, indicating that either work structure could be used during shorter work tasks, while work greater than 2 h in duration may benefit from shorter work/rest cycles to mitigate hyperthermia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Extreme Weather and Climate on Human Health)

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