Effects of hot and cold temperature exposure on performance: a meta-analytic review

Pilcher, June J.; Nadler, Eric; Busch, Caroline

doi:10.1080/00140130210158419

Cited by 367 publications

(291 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…The magnitude, structure, and coherence of these responses support the hypothesis that the underlying mechanism is a reduction in the productivity of human labor when workers are exposed to thermal stress. The ergonomics and physiology of thermal stress in humans is well studied (21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26), but has been absent from previous integrated assessments of global climate change impacts (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Temperatures and cyclones strongly associated with economic production in the Caribbean and Central America

Hsiang

2010

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

799

487

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Understanding the economic impact of surface temperatures is an important question for both economic development and climate change policy. This study shows that in 28 Caribbean-basin countries, the response of economic output to increased temperatures is structurally similar to the response of labor productivity to high temperatures, a mechanism omitted from economic models of future climate change. This similarity is demonstrated by isolating the direct influence of temperature from that of tropical cyclones, an important correlate. Notably, output losses occurring in nonagricultural production (–2.4%/+1 °C) substantially exceed losses occurring in agricultural production (–0.1%/+1 °C). Thus, these results suggest that current models of future climate change that focus on agricultural impacts but omit the response of workers to thermal stress may underestimate the global economic costs of climate change.

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confidence: 99%

Temperatures and cyclones strongly associated with economic production in the Caribbean and Central America

Hsiang

2010

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

799

487

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“…Research has shown that exposure to temperatures under 10°C for durations greater than 2 hours can have a significant negative impact on physical and cognitive performance, as well as general health and comfort [8]. As was observed, all expeditions took place in <10°C temperatures and tended to last for more than 3 hours without a break.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Cold working conditions have been associated with painful musculoskeletal disorders [4], loss of manual strength and dexterity [5], increased occurrence of slips, trips and falls [6] and a variety of cognitive impairments which increase the risk of an accident [7]. These cognitive impairments can include limited attention, curtailed memory and reasoning ability and impulsiveness; even at moderate levels of stress [8,9]. Moreover, risk of cold-related impairment also increases with duration and intensity of exposure, highlighting the hazard of performing critical tasks in consistently cold environments [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These cognitive impairments can include limited attention, curtailed memory and reasoning ability and impulsiveness; even at moderate levels of stress [8,9]. Moreover, risk of cold-related impairment also increases with duration and intensity of exposure, highlighting the hazard of performing critical tasks in consistently cold environments [8].

Figure 1.Skin temperature means by task (error bars from standard error).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Task-dependent cold stress during expeditions in Antarctic environments

Morris

Pilcher

Powell

2017

International Journal of Circumpolar Health

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This study seeks to understand the degree of body cooling, cold perception and physical discomfort during Antarctic tour excursions.Eight experienced expedition leaders across three Antarctic cruise voyages were monitored during occupational tasks: kayaking, snorkelling and zodiac outings. Subjective cold perception and discomfort were recorded using a thermal comfort assessment and skin temperature was recorded using a portable data logger. Indoor cabin temperature and outdoor temperature with wind velocity were used as measures of environmental stress. Physical activity level and clothing insulation were estimated using previous literature.Tour leaders experienced a 6°C (2°C wind chill) environment for an average of 6 hours each day. Leaders involved in kayaking reported feeling colder and more uncomfortable than other leaders, but zodiac leaders showed greater skin temperature cooling. Occupational experience did not predict body cooling or cold stress perception.These findings indicate that occupational cold stress varies by activity and measurement methodology. The current study effectively used objective and subjective measures of cold-stress to identify factors which can contribute to risk in the Antarctic tourism industry. Results suggest that the type of activity may moderate risk of hypothermia, but not discomfort, potentially putting individuals at risk for cognitive related mistakes and cold injuries.

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“…Low temperature exposures lead to an increased metabolic rate (Selman et al, 2000), elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) (Venditti et al, 2004) and OS-induced tissue damage (Topp et al, 2000). It is possible that cold-stimulated high metabolic rates can alter blood lipid profiles and accelerate the development and progression of OS-related occupational hazards such as reduced cognitive performance in terms of memory, vigilance and concentration (Pilcher et al, 2002;Palinkas, 2001). In an earlier study, we demonstrated the hypolipidemic effects of vitamin E supplements with age in rats (Asha Devi et al, 2003a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intermittent cold-induced hippocampal oxidative stress is associated with changes in the plasma lipid composition and is modifiable by vitamins C and E in old rats

Devi

Manjula

2014

Neurochemistry International

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a b s t r a c tThis study primarily investigated the effects of intermittent cold exposure (ICE) on oxidative stress (OS) in the hippocampus(HC) and plasma lipid profile of old male rats. Secondly, it evaluated structural changes in the hippocampus region of the rat's brain. Thirdly, it attempted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the combined supplement of vitamins C and E in alleviating cold stress in terms of these biochemical parameters. Thirty male rats aged 24 months were divided into groups of five each: control (CON), cold-exposed at 10°C (C10), cold-exposed at 5°C (C5), supplemented control (CON+S), and supplemented cold-exposed at either 5°C (C5+S) or 10°C (C10+S). The rats were on a daily supplement of vitamin C and vitamin E. Cold exposure lasted 2 h/day for 4 weeks. Rats showed increased levels of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the HC at 10°C with further increase at 5°C. Cold also induced neuronal loss in the hippocampus with concomitant elevations in total cholesterol (TCH), triglycerides (TG) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C) levels, and a depletion in high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C). A notable feature was the hyperglycaemic effects of ICE and depleted levels of vitamins C and E in the hippocampus and plasma while supplementation increased their levels. More importantly, a positive correlation was observed between plasmatic LDL-C, TCH and TG and hippocampal TBARS and H 2 O 2 levels. Further, intensity of cold emerged as a significant factor impacting the responses to vitamin C and E supplementation. These results suggest that cold-induced changes in the plasma lipid profile correlate with OS in the hippocampus, and that vitamin C and E together are effective in protecting from metabolic and possible cognitive consequences in the old under cold exposures.

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Effects of hot and cold temperature exposure on performance: a meta-analytic review

Cited by 367 publications

References 40 publications

Temperatures and cyclones strongly associated with economic production in the Caribbean and Central America

Temperatures and cyclones strongly associated with economic production in the Caribbean and Central America

Task-dependent cold stress during expeditions in Antarctic environments

Intermittent cold-induced hippocampal oxidative stress is associated with changes in the plasma lipid composition and is modifiable by vitamins C and E in old rats

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