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Progressive Heat Exposure and Physiological Strain

25. september 2026 oppdatert av: Glen P. Kenny, University of Ottawa

Does a Progressively Warming Workday Alter Work Performed and Physiological Heat Strain in Middle-Aged and Older Men?

Occupational heat-stress guidelines are commonly based on the level of environmental heat exposure and are largely derived from studies conducted under constant environmental conditions. However, outdoor workers are typically exposed to dynamic conditions, with environmental heat often increasing progressively from morning to afternoon. Consequently, workers may experience substantially different patterns of heat exposure across the workday even when average daily heat exposure is equivalent. It remains unclear whether the temporal pattern of heat exposure influences the amount of work that can be performed or the physiological strain experienced during a workday. Understanding these responses is important for determining whether occupational heat-stress guidelines developed under constant laboratory conditions adequately protect workers exposed to progressively changing environmental conditions.

The primary objective of this study is to determine whether the temporal pattern of heat exposure influences work performed and physiological heat strain during a simulated occupational workday in healthy middle-aged and older men. Participants will complete two 9-hour simulated workdays consisting of a 4-hour morning work period, a 1-hour lunch break, and a 4-hour afternoon work period. During one trial, wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) will remain constant at 28°C throughout the workday, whereas during the other trial, WBGT will progressively increase from morning to afternoon to simulate the changing environmental conditions of a typical hot summer workday. Both trials will have the same mean daily WBGT of 28°C. Participants will perform moderate-intensity treadmill exercise, and measures including total work performed, core temperature, heart rate, and time to the initial stay-time threshold will be assessed to determine whether constant and progressively increasing heat exposures produce different physiological and work-performance responses across the workday.

Studieoversikt

Status

Har ikke rekruttert ennå

Forhold

Intervensjon / Behandling

Studietype

Intervensjonell

Registrering (Antatt)

14

Fase

  • Ikke aktuelt

Kontakter og plasseringer

Denne delen inneholder kontaktinformasjon for de som utfører studien, og informasjon om hvor denne studien blir utført.

Studiekontakt

Studiesteder

    • Ontario
      • Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1N 6N5
        • University of Ottawa
        • Ta kontakt med:

Deltakelseskriterier

Forskere ser etter personer som passer til en bestemt beskrivelse, kalt kvalifikasjonskriterier. Noen eksempler på disse kriteriene er en persons generelle helsetilstand eller tidligere behandlinger.

Kvalifikasjonskriterier

Alder som er kvalifisert for studier

45 år til 65 år (Voksen, Eldre voksen)

Tar imot friske frivillige

Ja

Kjønn som er kvalifisert for studier

Mann

Beskrivelse

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Are male.
  • Do not smoke or have been smoke free for at least 5 years.
  • English or French speaking.
  • Ability to provide informed consent.
  • Are physically active (engage in exercise at least 2 times per week for ≥30 minutes)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Are regularly exposed to hot environments (e.g., occupational heat exposure)
  • Experience claustrophobia or discomfort in enclosed environments
  • Episode(s) of severe hypoglycemia (requiring the assistance of another person) within the previous year, or inability to sense hypoglycemia (hypoglycemia unawareness).
  • Serious complications related to diabetes (gastroparesis, renal disease, uncontrolled hypertension, severe autonomic neuropathy).
  • Uncontrolled hypertension - BP >150 mmHg systolic or >95 mmHg diastolic in a sitting position.
  • Restrictions in physical activity due to disease (e.g. intermittent claudication, renal impairment, active proliferative retinopathy, unstable cardiac or pulmonary disease, disabling stroke, severe arthritis, etc.).
  • Use of or changes in medication judged by the patient or investigators to make participation in this study inadvisable.
  • Cardiac abnormalities identified during screening

Studieplan

Denne delen gir detaljer om studieplanen, inkludert hvordan studien er utformet og hva studien måler.

Hvordan er studiet utformet?

Designdetaljer

  • Primært formål: Grunnvitenskap
  • Tildeling: Randomisert
  • Intervensjonsmodell: Crossover-oppdrag
  • Masking: Ingen (Open Label)

Våpen og intervensjoner

Deltakergruppe / Arm
Intervensjon / Behandling
Eksperimentell: Constant Heat Exposure

Participants will complete a 9-hour simulated occupational workday consisting of a 4-hour morning work period, a 1-hour seated lunch-recovery period, and a 4-hour afternoon work period. Wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) will remain constant at 28°C throughout the workday. During each work period, participants will perform moderate-intensity treadmill walking at a metabolic heat production of approximately 200 W·m-2. Participants will initially work continuously until reaching the initial stay-time threshold, defined as a core temperature of 38.0°C or an increase of 1.0°C above pre-work baseline, whichever occurs first. Thereafter, participants will complete 45-min work and 15-min seated rest cycles for the remainder of the work period.

Participants complete a simulated occupational workday under constant environmental conditions, with WBGT maintained at 28°C throughout the morning and afternoon work periods.

Eksperimentell: Progressively Increasing Heat Exposure

Participants will complete a 9-hour simulated occupational workday consisting of a 4-hour morning work period, a 1-hour seated lunch-recovery period, and a 4-hour afternoon work period. WBGT will progressively increase from morning to afternoon to simulate the changing environmental conditions of a hot summer workday, while maintaining a mean daily WBGT of 28°C. During each work period, participants will perform moderate-intensity treadmill walking at a metabolic heat production of approximately 200 W·m-2. Participants will initially work continuously until reaching the initial stay-time threshold, defined as a core temperature of 38.0°C or an increase of 1.0°C above pre-work baseline, whichever occurs first. Thereafter, participants will complete 45-min work and 15-min seated rest cycles for the remainder of the work period.

Participants complete a simulated occupational workday in which WBGT progressively increases from morning to afternoon while maintaining a mean daily WBGT of 28°C.

Hva måler studien?

Primære resultatmål

Resultatmål
Tiltaksbeskrivelse
Tidsramme
Total work performed
Tidsramme: From the start to the end of the morning and afternoon work periods during each experimental trial (0-4 hours and 5-9 hours after the start of the trial, respectively).

Total work completed during each 240-minute morning and afternoon work period, expressed as cumulative minutes of treadmill walking. Each work period consists of an initial continuous walking phase until core temperature reaches 38.0°C or increases by 1.0°C above the pre-work baseline, whichever occurs first, followed by intermittent 45-min work and 15-min seated rest cycles.

From the start to the end of the morning and afternoon work periods during each experimental trial (0-4 hours and 5-9 hours after the start of the trial, respectively).

Sekundære resultatmål

Resultatmål
Tiltaksbeskrivelse
Tidsramme
Initial stay time
Tidsramme: During the initial continuous walking phase of each morning and afternoon work period.

Time, in minutes, from the start of continuous treadmill walking until the initial stay-time threshold is reached, defined as a core temperature of 38.0°C or an increase of 1.0°C above the pre-work baseline, whichever occurs first. Participants who do not reach the threshold during the 240-minute work period will be identified as not having reached the threshold within 240 min.

During the initial continuous walking phase of each morning and afternoon work period.
Core temperature
Tidsramme: Continuously throughout each experimental trial, including the morning work period, lunch recovery, and afternoon work period.

Core temperature measured continuously using a rectal thermocouple temperature probe to assess thermoregulatory strain throughout the simulated workday.

Continuously throughout each experimental trial, including the morning work period, lunch recovery, and afternoon work period.
Average core temperature during work-rest cycles
Tidsramme: During the work-rest cycles of each morning and afternoon work period.

Average core temperature during the intermittent 45-min work and 15-min seated rest cycles following attainment of the initial stay-time threshold.

During the work-rest cycles of each morning and afternoon work period.
Mean skin temperature
Tidsramme: Assessed throughout each experimental trial, including the morning work period, lunch recovery, and afternoon work period.

Mean skin temperature calculated from temperatures measured at eight body sites using ISO 9886 weighting factors.

Assessed throughout each experimental trial, including the morning work period, lunch recovery, and afternoon work period.
Heart rate
Tidsramme: Continuously throughout each experimental trial, including the morning work period, lunch recovery, and afternoon work period.

Heart rate measured continuously using a chest-strap heart rate monitor and expressed as absolute heart rate.

Continuously throughout each experimental trial, including the morning work period, lunch recovery, and afternoon work period.
Percentage of heart rate reserve
Tidsramme: Throughout each experimental trial, including the morning work period, lunch recovery, and afternoon work period.

Heart rate expressed as a percentage of the participant's heart rate reserve to assess relative cardiovascular strain during heat exposure.

Throughout each experimental trial, including the morning work period, lunch recovery, and afternoon work period.
Systolic blood pressure
Tidsramme: Assessed at predetermined intervals throughout each experimental trial.

Systolic blood pressure measured at the brachial artery using automated oscillometry. Three measurements obtained at approximately 1-min intervals will be averaged for analysis.

Assessed at predetermined intervals throughout each experimental trial.
Diastolic blood pressure
Tidsramme: Assessed at predetermined intervals throughout each experimental trial.

Diastolic blood pressure measured at the brachial artery using automated oscillometry. Three measurements obtained at approximately 1-min intervals will be averaged for analysis.

Assessed at predetermined intervals throughout each experimental trial.
Heart rate variability: standard deviation of normal R-R intervals (SDNN)
Tidsramme: Throughout each experimental trial.

Cardiac autonomic modulation assessed from consecutive R-R intervals obtained using a 5-lead Holter electrocardiogram to calculate the standard deviation of normal R-R intervals (SDNN), expressed in milliseconds.

Throughout each experimental trial.
Heart rate variability: root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD)
Tidsramme: Throughout each experimental trial.

Cardiac autonomic modulation assessed from consecutive R-R intervals obtained using a 5-lead Holter electrocardiogram to calculate the root mean square of successive differences between adjacent normal R-R intervals (RMSSD), expressed in milliseconds.

Throughout each experimental trial.
Urine specific gravity
Tidsramme: Assessed upon arrival before each experimental trial.

Urine specific gravity measured to assess hydration status upon arrival at the laboratory. Higher values indicate greater urine concentration, whereas lower values indicate lower urine concentration.

Assessed upon arrival before each experimental trial.
Fluid consumption
Tidsramme: Throughout each experimental trial.

Cumulative fluid consumption determined from all fluid consumed during each experimental session.

Throughout each experimental trial.
Fluid loss from body mass change
Tidsramme: Assessed at the end of each 240-minute morning and afternoon work period of each experimental trial.

Fluid loss calculated from changes in body mass during each daytime work exposure, corrected for food and fluid intake.

Assessed at the end of each 240-minute morning and afternoon work period of each experimental trial.
Thermal sensation
Tidsramme: Assessed at baseline, every 10 min during initial continuous work, at attainment of the initial stay-time threshold, at the end of the work and recovery components of each work-rest cycle, and at the beginning and end of lunch recovery.

Thermal sensation assessed using an 8-point scale ranging from 0 (neutral) to 7 (extremely hot). Higher scores indicate a greater sensation of heat.

Assessed at baseline, every 10 min during initial continuous work, at attainment of the initial stay-time threshold, at the end of the work and recovery components of each work-rest cycle, and at the beginning and end of lunch recovery.
Thermal comfort
Tidsramme: Assessed at baseline, every 10 min during initial continuous work, at attainment of the initial stay-time threshold, at the end of the work and recovery components of each work-rest cycle, and at the beginning and end of lunch recovery.

Thermal comfort assessed using the ISO 10551 scale ranging from 1 (comfortable) to 4 (very uncomfortable). Higher scores indicate greater thermal discomfort.

Assessed at baseline, every 10 min during initial continuous work, at attainment of the initial stay-time threshold, at the end of the work and recovery components of each work-rest cycle, and at the beginning and end of lunch recovery.
Thirst sensation
Tidsramme: Assessed at baseline, every 10 min during initial continuous work, at attainment of the initial stay-time threshold, at the end of the work and recovery components of each work-rest cycle, and at the beginning and end of lunch recovery.

Thirst sensation assessed using a 9-point scale ranging from 1 (not thirsty at all) to 9 (very, very thirsty). Higher scores indicate greater perceived thirst

Assessed at baseline, every 10 min during initial continuous work, at attainment of the initial stay-time threshold, at the end of the work and recovery components of each work-rest cycle, and at the beginning and end of lunch recovery.
Affective state
Tidsramme: Assessed at baseline, every 10 min during initial continuous work, at attainment of the initial stay-time threshold, at the end of the work and recovery components of each work-rest cycle, and at the beginning and end of lunch recovery.

Affective state will be assessed using the 11-point Feeling Scale ranging from -5 (very bad) to +5 (very good), with 0 representing neutral. Higher scores indicate more positive affective state.

Assessed at baseline, every 10 min during initial continuous work, at attainment of the initial stay-time threshold, at the end of the work and recovery components of each work-rest cycle, and at the beginning and end of lunch recovery.
Perceived arousal
Tidsramme: Assessed at baseline, every 10 min during initial continuous work, at attainment of the initial stay-time threshold, at the end of the work and recovery components of each work-rest cycle, and at the beginning and end of lunch recovery.

Perceived arousal assessed using a 7-point scale ranging from 1 (low arousal) to 7 (high arousal). Higher scores indicate greater perceived arousal.

Assessed at baseline, every 10 min during initial continuous work, at attainment of the initial stay-time threshold, at the end of the work and recovery components of each work-rest cycle, and at the beginning and end of lunch recovery.
Rating of perceived exertion
Tidsramme: Assessed at baseline, every 10 min during initial continuous work, at attainment of the initial stay-time threshold, and at the end of the work and recovery components of each work-rest cycle.

Perceived exertion assessed using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale ranging from 6 (no exertion at all) to 20 (maximal exertion). Higher scores indicate greater perceived exertion.

Assessed at baseline, every 10 min during initial continuous work, at attainment of the initial stay-time threshold, and at the end of the work and recovery components of each work-rest cycle.
Environmental Symptoms Questionnaire-IV (ESQ-IV) total symptom score
Tidsramme: Assessed at baseline and following completion of each experimental trial.

Symptoms associated with heat exposure will be assessed using the Environmental Symptoms Questionnaire-IV (ESQ-IV). Responses will be combined to generate a total symptom score, with higher scores indicating greater environmental symptom burden.

Assessed at baseline and following completion of each experimental trial.
Profile of Mood States-40 (POMS-40) total mood disturbance score
Tidsramme: Assessed at baseline and following completion of each experimental trial.

Mood state will be assessed using the abbreviated 40-item Profile of Mood States questionnaire (POMS-40). Responses will be used to calculate a total mood disturbance score, with higher scores indicating greater overall mood disturbance.

Assessed at baseline and following completion of each experimental trial.
Changes in plasma volume
Tidsramme: Assessed as baseline, and following each 240-minute morning and afternoon work period.

Change in plasma volume from baseline values calculated from duplicate measurements of hemoglobin and hematocrit at the start and end of each exposure using the technique by Dill and Costill.

Assessed as baseline, and following each 240-minute morning and afternoon work period.

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Sponsor

Studierekorddatoer

Disse datoene sporer fremdriften for innsending av studieposter og sammendragsresultater til ClinicalTrials.gov. Studieposter og rapporterte resultater gjennomgås av National Library of Medicine (NLM) for å sikre at de oppfyller spesifikke kvalitetskontrollstandarder før de legges ut på det offentlige nettstedet.

Studer hoveddatoer

Studiestart (Antatt)

1. oktober 2026

Primær fullføring (Antatt)

30. juni 2027

Studiet fullført (Antatt)

31. august 2027

Datoer for studieregistrering

Først innsendt

18. september 2026

Først innsendt som oppfylte QC-kriteriene

25. september 2026

Først lagt ut (Faktiske)

29. september 2026

Oppdateringer av studieposter

Sist oppdatering lagt ut (Faktiske)

29. september 2026

Siste oppdatering sendt inn som oppfylte QC-kriteriene

25. september 2026

Sist bekreftet

1. september 2026

Mer informasjon

Begreper knyttet til denne studien

Andre studie-ID-numre

  • HEPRU-2026-09-A

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