Effects of Wrist Cooling on Recovery From Exercise-Induced Heat Stress With Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment.

Abstract

To determine the effects of wrist cooling on recovery from exercise-induced heat stress (EIHS) from wearing firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) and self-contained breathing apparatus. Using a single-blind, counterbalanced, crossover-design, in 11 healthy men, we measured heart rate (HR), HR variability (HRV), core temperature (TCore), thermal strain (TS), and fatigue at rest, during 30-minute of exercise in PPE+SCBA, and during recovery while wearing a wrist cooling band (control[off] vs cool[on]). No differences were observed between trials at baseline or during exercise, in HR, TCore, TS, or fatigue. Time to 50% and recovery were not different between trials. Upon recovery, TCore was lower, while HR, fatigue, HRV, and TS were relatively indifferent with cooling. Wrist cooling after EIHS only modestly enhanced recovery, questioning its implementation during on-scene rehabilitation of firefighters.