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Joshi A, Li R, Wu Y, Zhang M, Song G. Analysis of glove local microclimate properties for various glove types and fits using 3D scanning method. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23596. [PMID: 38205334 PMCID: PMC10777371 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to their geometry and thermal physiology, hands are most vulnerable to cold weather injuries and loss of dexterity. Gloves are the most common for hand protection during exposure to extreme thermal and hazardous environments. Although glove microclimate properties such as area factor, air gap thickness, and contact area play a significant role in thermal protection, identifying local (at individual hand segments) glove microclimate properties is still a research gap. For the first time, the glove-microclimate properties for 16 hand segments at high spatial resolution were analyzed by employing state-of-the-art hand-held 3D scanner and post-processing techniques for different glove types. Our results clearly indicate that the glove area factor for distal phalanges is significantly higher (by 49.8 %) than that for other hand segments, which increases the heat transfer from distal phalanges. In contrast, average air gap thickness was relatively uniform across all hand segments. The glove type had a pronounced effect on glove microclimate properties, e.g., bulky and heavy cold weather protective gloves had a larger average air gap thickness and glove area factor. Regression models are also developed to estimate the glove microclimate properties from simple measurement (i.e., ease allowance). Overall, this study provides essential information for the design and development of protective gloves that can help improve safety, comfort, and dexterity. Methods and mathematical models developed in this study also contribute to facilitating extremity (e.g., hand) focused thermoregulation modeling, hazard simulation, injury prediction, ergonomic design, optimum performance (dexterity and tactility) along with thermal protection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rui Li
- Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50010, USA
| | - Yulin Wu
- Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50010, USA
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Yick KL, Keung YC, Yu A, Wong KH, Hui KT, Yip J. Sports Bra Pressure: Effect on Body Skin Temperature and Wear Comfort. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:15765. [PMID: 36497840 PMCID: PMC9740386 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Sports bras are an essential apparel for active women, but may exert excessive pressure that negatively affects thermoregulation, thermal comfort and wear sensation. This study measures skin temperature changes during short durations of exercise on a treadmill with different bra pressures. The results based on 21 female subjects (age: 27.2 ± 4.5 years old) show that bras with more pressure at the underband or shoulder straps do not cause statistically significant skin temperature changes during exercise (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, compared to the optimal bra fit, significant differences in bra-breast skin temperature are found during running, cooling down and sitting when the bra pressure is increased (p < 0.05), particularly under bra cup (T1) in this study. The FLIR thermal images can visualize the skin temperature changes at abdomen throughout the four activity stages. Subjective sensations of bra thermal comfort, pressure and breast support are assessed. Despite the increased pressure on the shoulders and chest wall, perceptions towards thermal comfort remain unchanged. The perceived pressure comfort and support sensation amongst the 4 bra conditions are comparable. Interestingly, positive sensations of pressure comfort and breast support are perceived with a tight-fitting sports bra during treadmill exercise. High pressures induced by sports bras (>4 kPa) that habitually considered harmful to the human body may not lead to wear discomfort but enhance bra support sensation and a sense of security to the wearers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kit-Lun Yick
- School of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | - Yin-Ching Keung
- School of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | - Annie Yu
- Department of Advanced Fibro Science, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Kam-Ho Wong
- Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design, Hong Kong Science Park, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Kwok-Tung Hui
- Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design, Hong Kong Science Park, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Joanne Yip
- School of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
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Abstract
Exposure to extreme temperatures in workplaces implies serious physical hazards to workers. In addition, a poorly acclimatized worker can have reduced performance and alertness. It may therefore be more vulnerable to the risk of accidents and injuries. Due to the incompatibility of standards and regulations with some work environments and a lack of thermal exchange in many personal protective equipment, heat stress remains among the most common physical risks in many industrial sectors. Furthermore, conventional methods of measuring physiological parameters in order to calculate personal thermophysiological constraints are not practical to use during work tasks. However, the emergence of wearable technologies can contribute to real-time measurement of body temperature and the biometric signals needed to assess thermophysiological constraints while actively working. Thus, the present study was carried out in order to scrutinize the current knowledge of these types of technologies by analyzing the available systems and the advances made in previous studies, as well as to discuss the efforts required to develop devices for the prevention of the occurrence of heat stress in real time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Saidi
- Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en Santé et en Sécurité du Travail, IRSST, Canada.
| | - Chantal Gauvin
- Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en Santé et en Sécurité du Travail, IRSST, Canada
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES The effects of personal protective clothing (PPC) on firefighters' gait were investigated to develop high-performance PPC. METHODS Thirteen participants participated in human trials with three types of PPC (firefighter protective clothing (FPC); semi-enclosed chemical protective clothing (CPC_semi); full-enclosed chemical protective clothing (CPC_full)) and T-shirt (CON). A 3D motion capture system was used to obtain gait parameters (step length, step width, stride frequency, gait speed, and toe-out angle) and the range of motion (ROM) of the joints (hip, knee, and ankle). RESULTS PPCs produced an increase in step width (23.4%, p > 0.05), but the gait speed (9.1%) and stride frequency (6.4%) decreased compared with the CON results. ROM is affected by the PPC type and joint. FPC and CPC_semi had no significant effect in terms of the ROM of the hip and knee besides the landing angle of the knee. However, CPC_full had a significant effect on the maximum extension angle of the hip and maximum flexion angle of the knee, which reached up to 27.2%. CONCLUSION The ROM of the firefighter's lower limbs were limited by PPC. This study offers insights into next-generation PPC design and development, as well as guidelines for training and firefighting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jikun Liu
- College of Safety Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Yiming Huang
- College of Safety Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- College of Safety Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Xingming Wang
- College of Safety Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Jie Yang
- College of Safety Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710054, China
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Wu Y, Zhang S, Liu H, Cheng Y, Liao C. Thermal sensation, sick building syndrome symptoms, and physiological responses of occupants in environments with vertical air temperature differences. J Therm Biol 2022; 108:103276. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2022.103276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Roossien CC, Hodselmans AP, Heus R, Reneman MF, Verkerke GJ. Evaluation of a Wearable Non-Invasive Thermometer for Monitoring Ear Canal Temperature during Physically Demanding (Outdoor) Work. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph18094896. [PMID: 34064464 PMCID: PMC8125248 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Aimed at preventing heat strain, health problems, and absenteeism among workers with physically demanding occupations, a continuous, accurate, non-invasive measuring system may help such workers monitor their body (core) temperature. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy and explore the usability of the wearable non-invasive Cosinuss° °Temp thermometer. Ear canal temperature was monitored in 49 workers in real-life working conditions. After individual correction, the results of the laboratory and field study revealed high correlations compared to ear canal infrared thermometry for hospital use. After performance of the real-life working tasks, this correlation was found to be moderate. It was also observed that the ambient environmental outdoor conditions and personal protective clothing influenced the accuracy and resulted in unrealistic ear canal temperature outliers. It was found that the Cosinuss° °Temp thermometer did not result in significant interference during work. Therefore, it was concluded that, without a correction factor, the Cosinuss° °Temp thermometer is inaccurate. Nevertheless, with a correction factor, the reliability of this wearable ear canal thermometer was confirmed at rest, but not in outdoor working conditions or while wearing a helmet or hearing protection equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Christina Roossien
- Department of Rehabilitation, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Medicine, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands; (M.F.R.); (G.J.V.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Audy Paul Hodselmans
- Center for Applied Research and Innovation in Health Care and in Nursing, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, 9747 AS Groningen, The Netherlands;
| | - Ronald Heus
- Institute for Safety (IFV), Knowledge Center Occupational Safety, 6816 RW Arnhem, The Netherlands;
| | - Michiel Felix Reneman
- Department of Rehabilitation, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Medicine, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands; (M.F.R.); (G.J.V.)
| | - Gijsbertus Jacob Verkerke
- Department of Rehabilitation, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Medicine, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands; (M.F.R.); (G.J.V.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
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Leung K, Shin K, Han F, Jiao J. Ergonomic mastectomy bra design: Effect on core body temperature and thermal comfort performance. Appl Ergon 2021; 90:103249. [PMID: 32889428 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2020.103249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The accumulation of sweat and heat between the skin and the prosthesis is one of the common causes of discomfort experienced by post-mastectomy women who wore silicone-type external breast prostheses. This study aimed 1) to investigate the effect of a newly designed heat-reduction mastectomy bra on the thermal responses and thermal comfort performance; and 2) to propose an evaluation protocol for post-mastectomy products. The heat-reduction bra and the conventional bra were made of the same textile materials but the cup of the bra under discussion had a polyurethane cup with a perforated structure along the breast root/inframammary fold. The inframammary fold is often aggravated by heat, sweat, maceration, chafe, and lack of air circulation. Nine healthy male participants were recruited to participate in the study since the women who had undergone double-mastectomy were sensitive about their scars. An ingestible telemetric pill sensor was used to collect the data of core body temperature. Participants performed a 70-min five-phase exercise protocol wearing the heat-reduction bra and the conventional bra together with a silicone prosthesis with ventilation holes on the bottom. Physiological responses (i.e., core body temperature, skin temperature, temperature between bra and prosthesis, skin humidity and humidity between bra and prosthesis) and subjective sensation responses were measured. The results were statistically significant and the conventional mastectomy bra showed a higher core body temperature than that of the heat-reduction mastectomy bra (37.3 ± 0.3 °C to 38.2 ± 0.5 °C vs. 37.2 ± 0.3 °C to 38.0 ± 0.3 °C) starting from the middle of the sitting phase to the running phase and post-exercise resting (F = 164.2, p < 0.001). Both factors, the bra and the phase, have significant effects on the core body temperature (F = 14.5, p < 0.001). The heat-reduction mastectomy bra demonstrated optimum thermal comfort performance in both the temperature and humidity than the conventional mastectomy bra.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaoru Leung
- Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Kristina Shin
- Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Fred Han
- School of System Design and Intelligent Manufacturing, Southern University of Science and Technology, China.
| | - Jiao Jiao
- Dr Stephen Hui Research Centre for Physical Recreation and Wellness, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China.
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Roossien CC, Heus R, Reneman MF, Verkerke GJ. Monitoring core temperature of firefighters to validate a wearable non-invasive core thermometer in different types of protective clothing: Concurrent in-vivo validation. Appl Ergon 2020; 83:103001. [PMID: 31739139 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2019.103001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study aims (1) to test the validity of a new non-invasive core thermometer, Cosinuss°, in rest and (2) during firefighting simulation tasks, against invasive temperature pill and inner-ear temperature and (3) to compare the change in core temperature of firefighters when working in two types of protective clothing (traditional turnout gear versus new concept). 11 active firefighters performed twice a selection of tasks during their periodic preventive medical examination and a fire-extinguishing task. Without correction no correlation between the Cosinuss° and thermometer pill (ICC≤0.09, p ≥ 0.154, LoA≥1.37) and a moderate correlation between Cosinuss° and inner-ear infrared (ICC = 0.40, p = 0.044, LoA±1.20) was observed. With individual correction both correlations were excellent (ICC≥0.84, p = 0.000, LoA≤0.30). However, during and after working all correlations were poor and non-significant (ICC≤0.38, p ≥ 0.091, LoA≥1.71). During firefighting tasks, the Cosinuss° is invalid for measuring the core temperature. No differences in heat development in the two types of protective clothing was proven.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Roossien
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - R Heus
- Institute for Safety (IFV), Zilverstraat 91, 2718 RP, Zoetermeer, the Netherlands
| | - M F Reneman
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - G J Verkerke
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Twente, Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522 NB, Enschede, the Netherlands
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Abstract
The assessment of thermal sensation is the first stage of many studies aimed at addressing thermal comfort and at establishing the related criteria used in indoor and outdoor environments. The study of thermal sensation requires suitable modelling of the human body, taking into account the factors that affect the physiological and psychological reactions that occur under different environmental conditions. These aspects are becoming more and more relevant in the present context in which thermal sensation and thermal comfort are represented as objectives or constraints in a wider range of problems referring to the living environment. This paper first considers the models of the human body used in steady-state and transient conditions. Starting from the conceptual formulations of the heat balance equations, this paper follows the evolution occurred during the years to refine the models. This evolution is also marked by the availability of increasingly higher computational capability that enabled the researchers developing transient models with a growing level of detail and accuracy, and by the validation of the models through experimental studies that exploit advanced technologies. The paper then provides an overview of the indicators used to characterise the local and overall thermal sensation, indicating the relations with local and overall thermal comfort.
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Katić K, Li R, Kingma B, Zeiler W. Modelling hand skin temperature in relation to body composition. J Therm Biol 2017; 69:139-148. [PMID: 29037375 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2017] [Revised: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Skin temperature is a challenging parameter to predict due to the complex interaction of physical and physiological variations. Previous studies concerning the correlation of regional physiological characteristics and body composition showed that obese people have higher hand skin temperature compared to the normal weight people. To predict hand skin temperature in a different environment, a two-node hand thermophysiological model was developed and validated with published experimental data. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was performed which showed that the variations in skin blood flow and blood temperature are most influential on hand skin temperature. The hand model was applied to simulate the hand skin temperature of the obese and normal weight subgroup in different ambient conditions. Higher skin blood flow and blood temperature were used in the simulation of obese people. The results showed a good agreement with experimental data from the literature, with the maximum difference of 0.31°C. If the difference between blood flow and blood temperature of obese and normal weight people was not taken into account, the hand skin temperature of obese people was predicted with an average deviation of 1.42°C. In conclusion, when modelling hand skin temperatures, it should be considered that regional skin temperature distribution differs in obese and normal weight people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Katić
- Eindhoven University of Technology, Department of the Built Environment, De Zaale, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven,The Netherlands.
| | - Rongling Li
- Eindhoven University of Technology, Department of the Built Environment, De Zaale, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven,The Netherlands.
| | - Boris Kingma
- Maastricht University, Department of Human Biology, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Wim Zeiler
- Eindhoven University of Technology, Department of the Built Environment, De Zaale, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven,The Netherlands.
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