The physiological effects of simultaneous exposures to heat and vibration

Abstract

Determination of the effects of exposure to vibration on the body's ability to handle heat stress, and, if so, identification of the specific vibration parameters (frequency and intensity) for both whole-body (wbv) and segmental-body vibration (sbv) that would have the most detrimental effect on the body's ability to maintain thermal homeostasis were studied. Rectal and skin temperatures, heart rates, localized sweat rates, arm-segment blood perfusion rates, respiration rates, oxygen uptakes, and respiratory exchange ratios were measured in six men (22 to 33 yr) during simultaneous exposures to heat and vibration - either wbv or sbv, and during a heated 50 min recovery period. The heat conditions were T (sub db) = 43.5 + or - 0.5 C (mean + or S.E.M.), and RH = 20 + or - 4%. All vibration exposures were divided into two exposure conditions - identical frequencies but at a high intensity (HI) and a low intensity (LI) level. The HI wbv exposure was for 25 min/day at 5 Hz, 0.37 g-rms; 10 Hz, 0.46 g-rms; 16 Hz, 0.72 g-rms; 30 Hz, 1.40 g-rms; 80 Hz, 3.70 g-rms. The LI wbv exposure was for 2.5 hr/day at the same frequencies but at the following accelerations: 0.14 g-rms; 0.18 g-rms; 0.28 g-rms; 0.55 g-rms; 1.44 g-rms. During the sbv the subject stood and grasped a vibrating, in the Z-axis, hand grip with both hands