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The Impacts of Sun Exposure on Worker Physiology and Cognition: Multi-Country Evidence and Interventions

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  • Leonidas G. Ioannou

    (FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
    Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark)

  • Lydia Tsoutsoubi

    (FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece)

  • Konstantinos Mantzios

    (FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece)

  • Giorgos Gkikas

    (FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece)

  • Jacob F. Piil

    (Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark)

  • Petros C. Dinas

    (FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece)

  • Sean R. Notley

    (Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada)

  • Glen P. Kenny

    (Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
    Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada)

  • Lars Nybo

    (Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark)

  • Andreas D. Flouris

    (FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
    Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada)

Abstract

Background: A set of four case-control ( n = 109), randomized-controlled ( n = 7), cross-sectional ( n = 78), and intervention ( n = 47) studies was conducted across three countries to investigate the effects of sun exposure on worker physiology and cognition. Methods: Physiological, subjective, and cognitive performance data were collected from people working in ambient conditions characterized by the same thermal stress but different solar radiation levels. Results: People working under the sun were more likely to experience dizziness, weakness, and other symptoms of heat strain. These clinical impacts of sun exposure were not accompanied by changes in core body temperature but, instead, were linked with changes in skin temperature. Other physiological responses (heart rate, skin blood flow, and sweat rate) were also increased during sun exposure, while attention and vigilance were reduced by 45% and 67%, respectively, compared to exposure to a similar thermal stress without sunlight. Light-colored clothes reduced workers’ skin temperature by 12–13% compared to darker-colored clothes. Conclusions: Working under the sun worsens the physiological heat strain experienced and compromises cognitive function, even when the level of heat stress is thought to be the same as being in the shade. Wearing light-colored clothes can limit the physiological heat strain experienced by the body.

Suggested Citation

  • Leonidas G. Ioannou & Lydia Tsoutsoubi & Konstantinos Mantzios & Giorgos Gkikas & Jacob F. Piil & Petros C. Dinas & Sean R. Notley & Glen P. Kenny & Lars Nybo & Andreas D. Flouris, 2021. "The Impacts of Sun Exposure on Worker Physiology and Cognition: Multi-Country Evidence and Interventions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-26, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:14:p:7698-:d:597714
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Leonidas G. Ioannou & Konstantinos Mantzios & Lydia Tsoutsoubi & Zoe Panagiotaki & Areti K. Kapnia & Ursa Ciuha & Lars Nybo & Andreas D. Flouris & Igor B. Mekjavic, 2021. "Effect of a Simulated Heat Wave on Physiological Strain and Labour Productivity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-17, March.
    2. Leonidas G. Ioannou & Konstantinos Mantzios & Lydia Tsoutsoubi & Eleni Nintou & Maria Vliora & Paraskevi Gkiata & Constantinos N. Dallas & Giorgos Gkikas & Gerasimos Agaliotis & Kostas Sfakianakis & A, 2021. "Occupational Heat Stress: Multi-Country Observations and Interventions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-21, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Osawa Hisato & Taro Mori & Kouichi Shinagawa & Satoshi Nakayama & Hayato Hosobuchi & Emad Mushtaha, 2023. "Risk Assessment of Heat Stroke during the Marathon of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Sapporo, Hokkaido," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-31, February.
    2. Nicole E. Moyen & Rohit C. Bapat & Beverly Tan & Lindsey A. Hunt & Ollie Jay & Toby Mündel, 2021. "Accuracy of Algorithm to Non-Invasively Predict Core Body Temperature Using the Kenzen Wearable Device," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Chiara Di Blasi & Alessandro Marinaccio & Claudio Gariazzo & Luca Taiano & Michela Bonafede & Antonio Leva & Marco Morabito & Paola Michelozzi & Francesca K. de’ Donato & on behalf of the Worklimate C, 2023. "Effects of Temperatures and Heatwaves on Occupational Injuries in the Agricultural Sector in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-14, February.

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