Data from: Internal and external cooling methods and their effect on body temperature, thermal perception and dexterity

Objective: The present study aimed to compare a range of cooling methods
possibly utilised by occupational workers, focusing on their effect on
body temperature, perception and manual dexterity. Methods: Ten male
participants completed eight trials involving 30 min of seated rest
followed by 30 min of cooling or control of no cooling (CON) (34 °C, 58 %
relative humidity). The cooling methods utilised were: ice cooling vest
(CV0), phase change cooling vest melting at 14 °C (CV14), evaporative
cooling vest (CVEV), arm immersion in 10 °C water (AI), portable
water-perfused suit (WPS), heliox inhalation (HE) and ice slushy ingestion
(SL). Immediately before and after cooling, participants were assessed for
fine (Purdue pegboard task) and gross (grip and pinch strength) manual
dexterity. Rectal and skin temperature, as well as thermal sensation and
comfort, were monitored throughout. Results: Compared with CON, SL was the
only method to reduce rectal temperature (P=0.012). All externally applied
cooling methods reduced skin temperature (P<0.05), though CV0
resulted in the lowest skin temperature versus other cooling methods.
Participants felt cooler with CV0, CV14, WPS, AI and SL (P<0.05).
AI significantly impaired Purdue pegboard performance (P=0.001), but did
not affect grip or pinch strength (P>0.05). Conclusion: The present
study observed that ice ingestion or ice applied to the skin produced the
greatest effect on rectal and skin temperature, respectively. AI should
not be utilised if workers require subsequent fine manual dexterity. These
results will help inform future studies investigating appropriate
pre-cooling methods for the occupational worker.