Meta-analysis of the effects of microclimate cooling systems on human performance under thermal stressful environments: Potential applications to occupational workers |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Building and Real Estate, Faculty of Construction and Environment, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China;2. Laboratory for Clothing Physiology and Ergonomics (LCPE), National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China;3. College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, China;1. Gifu University of Medical Science, Department of Radiological Technology, 795-1 Ichihiraga Seki, Gifu 501-1194, Japan;2. Gifu University of Medical Science, Department of Medical Technology, Seki, Gifu 501-3892, Japan;1. Laboratory for Clothing Physiology and Ergonomics (LCPE), The National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China;2. Department of Fashion Design and Engineering, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215021, China;3. Thermal Environment Laboratory, Department of Design Science, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden;4. Department of AESHM, Iowa State University, Ames IA 50011, USA;1. Mechanical Engineering Department, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon;2. Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, College of Engineering, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar;3. Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering & Petroleum, Kuwait University, Khaldiya, P.O. Box 5969, Safat 13060, Kuwait;1. Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, College of Engineering, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar;2. Mechanical Engineering Department, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon;3. Department of Family Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon;1. Laboratory of Fundamental Science on Ergonomics and Environmental Control, School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, PR China;2. China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing 100094, PR China;3. Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China;4. School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK |
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| Abstract: | This study aims to determine the appropriate microclimate cooling systems (MCSs) to reduce heat stress and improve human performance of occupational workers and their practicality in the occupational field. Meta-analysis was employed to summarize, analyze, and compare the effects of various MCSs on human performance with corresponding physiological and psychological responses, thereby providing solid suggestions for selecting suitable MCSs for occupational workers. Wearing MCSs significantly attenuated the increases in core temperature (−0.34 °C/h) and sweating rate (−0.30 L/h), and significantly improved human performance (+29.9%, effect size [EFS]=1.1) compared with no cooling condition (CON). Cold air-cooled garments (ACG-Cs; +106.2%, EFS=2.32) exhibited greater effects on improving human performance among various microclimate cooling garments (MCGs), followed by liquid cooling garments (LCGs; +68.1%, EFS=1.86) and hybrid cooling garment combining air and liquid cooling (HBCG-AL; +59.1%, EFS=3.38), natural air-cooled garments (ACG-Ns; +39.9%, EFS=1.12), and phase change material cooling garments (PCMCGs; +19.5%, EFS=1.2). Performance improvement was observed to be positively and linearly correlated to the differences of core temperature increase rate (r=0.65, p<0.01) and sweating rate (r=0.80, p<0.001) between MCSs and CON. Considering their application in industrial settings, ACG-Cs, LCGs, and HBCG-AL are practical for work, in which workers do not move frequently, whereas ACG-Ns and PCMCGs are more applicable for the majority of occupational workers. Further enhancement of the cooling efficiency of these two cooling strategies should be initiated. |
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| Keywords: | Meta-analysis Microclimate cooling system Performance Thermal stressful environment Occupational worker |
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