Introduction
cognitive and motor function, mood, cognitive and motor function, dehydration, cutaneous heat loss, hyperthermia, heat loss
INFECTIOUS DISEASES, HEAT, DEHYDRATION
Medical personal protective equipment (PPE) is used to prevent transmission of infectious diseases. It is classified as ‘droplet’ or ‘aerosol’ [Whilst the benefits of aerosol PPE use are clear, the negative consequences are less well-studied. One negative consequence is that it may inhibit cutaneous heat loss and thus induce heat stress. Heat stress is a condition in which heat production exceeds heat loss and, as a result, core temperature rises. Other forms of PPE are a heat stress, but it is not known how aerosol PPE affects body temperature [This randomized controlled crossover study aimed to quantify the heat stress associated with wearing aerosol PPE in a simulated hospital environment and to assess its effect upon mood, cognitive and motor function, and task performance. It was hypothesized that wearing aerosol PPE would result in hyperthermia and dehydration and that it would negatively impact mood, cognitive and motor function, and task performance.