Wright Beatty Heather E, Keillor Jocelyn M, Hardcastle Stephen G, Boulay Pierre, Kenny Glen P
Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, 125 University Private, Montpetit Hall, Room 367, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1N 6N5 ; Flight Research Lab, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0R6.
Flight Research Lab, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0R6.
Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:619103. doi: 10.1155/2015/619103. Epub 2015 Mar 22.
Older adults may be at greater risk for occupational injuries given their reduced capacity to dissipate heat, leading to greater thermal strain and potentially cognitive decrements.
To examine the effects of age and increased air velocity, during exercise in humid heat, on information processing and attention.
Nine young (24 ± 1 years) and 9 older (59 ± 1 years) males cycled 4 × 15 min (separated by 15 min rest) at a fixed rate of heat production (400 W) in humid heat (35°C, 60% relative humidity) under 0.5 (low) and 3.0 (high) m·s(-1) air velocity wearing coveralls. At rest, immediately following exercise (end exercise), and after the final recovery, participants performed an abbreviated paced auditory serial addition task (PASAT, 2 sec pace).
PASAT numbers of correct responses at end exercise were similar for young (low = 49 ± 3; high = 51 ± 3) and older (low = 46 ± 5; high = 47 ± 4) males and across air velocity conditions, and when scored relative to age norms. Psychological sweating, or an increased sweat rate with the administration of the PASAT, was observed in both age groups in the high condition.
No significant decrements in attention and speeded information processing were observed, with age or altered air velocity, following intermittent exercise in humid heat.
鉴于老年人散热能力下降，他们可能面临更高的职业伤害风险，这会导致更大的热应激并可能造成认知能力下降。
研究在湿热环境中运动时年龄和空气流速增加对信息处理和注意力的影响。
9名年轻男性（24±1岁）和9名老年男性（59±1岁）穿着工作服，在湿热环境（35°C，相对湿度60%）中，以固定产热率（400W）进行4组每组15分钟的骑行（每组间休息15分钟），空气流速分别为0.5（低）和3.0（高）m·s⁻¹。在休息时、运动结束后即刻以及最终恢复后，参与者进行简短的听觉连续加法任务（PASAT，2秒节奏）。
在运动结束时，年轻男性（低风速=49±3；高风速=51±3）和老年男性（低风速=46±5；高风速=47±4）在不同空气流速条件下以及相对于年龄标准进行评分时，PASAT正确反应数量相似。在高风速条件下，两个年龄组均观察到心理出汗，即进行PASAT时出汗率增加。
在湿热环境中进行间歇性运动后，未观察到年龄或空气流速改变导致注意力和快速信息处理能力出现显著下降。
