Ergonomics study shows effect of full-body suit on energy use.

It stands to reason that a full-body protective suit has an impact on the worker's body. It has weight, it does restrict movement to an extent. It's not like wearing a sport shirt. But, how much of an impact and what kind; how much of an energy drain is it? This ergonomic study addresses itself to the energy expenditure from wearing such a suit. The study reveals that the energy requirements in workers undergoing light to moderate exercise do increase. In some cases, the increase may be marked, with the physiological work level going from light to moderate to heavy. This work-level jump isn't always detectable by monitoring pulse rate alone. It's also reflected by an increase in minute ventilation and oxygen consumption. One tentative conclusion coming from this study is the possibility of improving comfort and reducing the energy requirements of workers using such equipment by increasing the volume of air supplied to the suit.