IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i6p3011-d517209.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Effect of a Simulated Heat Wave on Physiological Strain and Labour Productivity

Author

Listed:
  • Leonidas G. Ioannou

    (Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jozef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
    FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42131 Trikala, Greece)

  • Konstantinos Mantzios

    (FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42131 Trikala, Greece)

  • Lydia Tsoutsoubi

    (FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42131 Trikala, Greece)

  • Zoe Panagiotaki

    (FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42131 Trikala, Greece)

  • Areti K. Kapnia

    (FAME Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42131 Trikala, Greece)

  • Ursa Ciuha

    (Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jozef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • 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, 42131 Trikala, Greece)

  • Igor B. Mekjavic

    (Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jozef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a simulated heat-wave on the labour productivity and physiological strain experienced by workers. Methods: Seven males were confined for ten days in controlled ambient conditions. A familiarisation day was followed by three (pre, during, and post-heat-wave) 3-day periods. During each day volunteers participated in a simulated work-shift incorporating two physical activity sessions each followed by a session of assembly line task. Conditions were hot (work: 35.4 °C; rest: 26.3 °C) during, and temperate (work: 25.4 °C; rest: 22.3 °C) pre and post the simulated heat-wave. Physiological, biological, behavioural, and subjective data were collected throughout the study. Results: The simulated heat-wave undermined human capacity for work by increasing the number of mistakes committed, time spent on unplanned breaks, and the physiological strain experienced by the participants. Early adaptations were able to mitigate the observed implications on the second and third days of the heat-wave, as well as impacting positively on the post-heat-wave period. Conclusions: Here, we show for first time that a controlled simulated heat-wave increases workers’ physiological strain and reduces labour productivity on the first day, but it promotes adaptations mitigating the observed implications during the subsequent days.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:6:p:3011-:d:517209
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/6/3011/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/6/3011/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Vandentorren, S. & Suzan, F. & Medina, S. & Pascal, M. & Maulpoix, A. & Cohen, J.-C. & Ledrans, M., 2004. "Mortality in 13 French cities during the August 2003 heat wave," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 94(9), pages 1518-1520.
    2. Anton Orlov & Jana Sillmann & Asbjørn Aaheim & Kristin Aunan & Karianne Bruin, 2019. "Economic Losses of Heat-Induced Reductions in Outdoor Worker Productivity: a Case Study of Europe," Economics of Disasters and Climate Change, Springer, vol. 3(3), pages 191-211, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. Letian Li & Boyang Sun & Zhuqiang Hu & Jun Zhang & Song Gao & Haifeng Bian & Jiansong Wu, 2022. "Heat Strain Evaluation of Power Grid Outdoor Workers Based on a Human Bioheat Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-17, June.
    3. Margaret C. Morrissey & Zachary Yukio Kerr & Gabrielle J. Brewer & Faton Tishukaj & Douglas J. Casa & Rebecca L. Stearns, 2023. "Analysis of Exertion-Related Injuries and Fatalities in Laborers in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-14, February.
    4. 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.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Moazami, Amin & Nik, Vahid M. & Carlucci, Salvatore & Geving, Stig, 2019. "Impacts of future weather data typology on building energy performance – Investigating long-term patterns of climate change and extreme weather conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C), pages 696-720.
    2. Simon Gosling & Jason Lowe & Glenn McGregor & Mark Pelling & Bruce Malamud, 2009. "Associations between elevated atmospheric temperature and human mortality: a critical review of the literature," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 92(3), pages 299-341, February.
    3. Vaneckova, Pavla & Beggs, Paul J. & Jacobson, Carol R., 2010. "Spatial analysis of heat-related mortality among the elderly between 1993 and 2004 in Sydney, Australia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 70(2), pages 293-304, January.
    4. Chen, Ping-Yu & Chen, Chi-Chung & Chang, Chia-Lin, 2011. "Multiple Threshold Effects for Temperature and Mortality," MPRA Paper 35521, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Rayan Mounayar & Daniel Florentin, 2022. "Enlarging the Human Climate Niche: Integrating Urban Heat Island in Urban Planning Interventions," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 7(4), pages 179-194.
    6. Sue Smith & Alex J. Elliot & Shakoor Hajat & Angie Bone & Chris Bates & Gillian E. Smith & Sari Kovats, 2016. "The Impact of Heatwaves on Community Morbidity and Healthcare Usage: A Retrospective Observational Study Using Real-Time Syndromic Surveillance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, January.
    7. Anton Orlov & Anne Sophie Daloz & Jana Sillmann & Wim Thiery & Clara Douzal & Quentin Lejeune & Carl Schleussner, 2021. "Global Economic Responses to Heat Stress Impacts on Worker Productivity in Crop Production," Economics of Disasters and Climate Change, Springer, vol. 5(3), pages 367-390, October.
    8. Xiaochao Su & Zhilong Chen & Xudong Zhao & Xiaobin Yang & Qilin Feng & Haizhou Tang, 2018. "Optimization Design of Underground Space Overburden Thickness in a Residential Area Concerning Outdoor Thermal Environment Evaluation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-15, September.
    9. R. Sari Kovats & Diarmid Campbell‐Lendrum & Franziska Matthies, 2005. "Climate Change and Human Health: Estimating Avoidable Deaths and Disease," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(6), pages 1409-1418, December.
    10. N. Naveena & G. Ch. Satyanarayana & D. V. Bhaskar Rao & D. Srinivas, 2021. "An accentuated “hot blob” over Vidarbha, India, during the pre-monsoon season," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 105(2), pages 1359-1373, January.
    11. Amruta Nori-Sarma & Tarik Benmarhnia & Ajit Rajiva & Gulrez Shah Azhar & Prakash Gupta & Mangesh S. Pednekar & Michelle L. Bell, 2019. "Advancing our Understanding of Heat Wave Criteria and Associated Health Impacts to Improve Heat Wave Alerts in Developing Country Settings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-13, June.
    12. Boris Revich & Simon Avaliani & Gregory John Simons, 2016. "Air Pollution And Public Health In A Megalopolis: A Case Study Of Moscow," Economy of region, Centre for Economic Security, Institute of Economics of Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, vol. 1(4), pages 1069-1078.
    13. Monika Nitschke & Alana Hansen & Peng Bi & Dino Pisaniello & Jonathan Newbury & Alison Kitson & Graeme Tucker & Jodie Avery & Eleonora Dal Grande, 2013. "Risk Factors, Health Effects and Behaviour in Older People during Extreme Heat: A Survey in South Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-13, December.
    14. Kilian Kuhla & Sven Norman Willner & Christian Otto & Leonie Wenz & Anders Levermann, 2021. "Future heat stress to reduce people’s purchasing power," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(6), pages 1-17, June.
    15. Kim Knowlton & Suhas P. Kulkarni & Gulrez Shah Azhar & Dileep Mavalankar & Anjali Jaiswal & Meredith Connolly & Amruta Nori-Sarma & Ajit Rajiva & Priya Dutta & Bhaskar Deol & Lauren Sanchez & Radhika , 2014. "Development and Implementation of South Asia’s First Heat-Health Action Plan in Ahmedabad (Gujarat, India)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-20, March.
    16. Steffen Merte, 2017. "Estimating heat wave-related mortality in Europe using singular spectrum analysis," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 142(3), pages 321-330, June.
    17. Bielec-Bąkowska Zuzanna, 2016. "Long-term variability of the frequency and persistence of strong highs over Poland," Environmental & Socio-economic Studies, Sciendo, vol. 4(1), pages 12-23, March.
    18. Lucie Adélaïde & Olivier Chanel & Mathilde Pascal, 2022. "Health effects from heat waves in France: an economic evaluation," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 23(1), pages 119-131, February.
    19. Qiang Zeng & Guoxing Li & Yushan Cui & Guohong Jiang & Xiaochuan Pan, 2016. "Estimating Temperature-Mortality Exposure-Response Relationships and Optimum Ambient Temperature at the Multi-City Level of China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-12, March.
    20. Paul Watkiss & Alistair Hunt, 2012. "Projection of economic impacts of climate change in sectors of Europe based on bottom up analysis: human health," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 112(1), pages 101-126, May.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:6:p:3011-:d:517209. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.