Firefighter cooling vest study sheds light on best type of vest for MSers

[ActiveMSers]

This study on cooling vests is more scientific than my current cooling vest test. The link has the full study with detailed figures. And the results foreshadow my 2011 findings (soon to be released).... - Dave

Physiological and subjective responses to cooling devices on firefighting protective clothing
Chinmei Chou1 , Yutaka Tochihara2 and Taegyou Kim3

(1) Graduate School of Design, Kyushu University, 4-9-1 Shiobaru, Minami-ku, Fukuoka 815-8540, Japan
(2) Faculty of Design, Kyushu University, 4-9-1 Shiobaru, Minami-ku, Fukuoka 815-8540, Japan
(3) Technology R&D Team, Korea Sewing Technology Institute, 20-11 Nowondong-3ga, Buk-Gu, Daegu, 702-813, South Korea

Chinmei Chou
Email: kinmei@gsd.design.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Accepted: 20 December 2007 Published online: 8 February 2008

Abstract The aim of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of ice-packs (ICE) and phase change material (PCM) cooling devices in reducing physiological load based on subjects’ physiological and subjective responses while the subjects exercised on a bicycle ergometer while wearing firefighting protective clothing in a relatively high temperature environment (30°C, 50%RH). Subjects were eight graduate students, aged 25.9 years (SD 3.2). Each subject participated in four 50-min exposures: control (CON), ICE, PCM of 5°C [PCM(5)] and 20°C [PCM(20)]. Each subject rested in a pre-test room for 10 min before entering the test-room where they rested for another 10 min, followed by 30 min-exercise and a 10 min-recovery period. The exercise intensity was set at 55%VO2max. Cooling effects were evaluated by measuring rectal temperature (Tre), mean skin temperature (Tsk), body weight loss and subjective responses. An increase in Tre for PCM(5) and PCM(20) which was less than that for CON and ICE was observed. The increases in Tsk were depressed using cooling devices, but the cooling effects of PCMs were greater than ICE. The subjects with CON felt hotter and wetter than those in the other conditions. The larger surface cooling area, higher melting temperature and softer material of PCMs which reduces absorption capacity caused a decrease in Tre and Tsk for PCM(5) and PCM(20) which was more than that for CON and ICE. Furthermore, PCM(20) does not require refrigeration. These results suggest that PCM(20) is more effective than other cooling devices in reducing the physiological load while wearing firefighting protective clothing.

http://www.springerlink.com/content/...text.html#Figa