Subjective estimates of physiological responses and perceptual-motor performance in the heat

Abstract

A total of 31 male and 15 female subjects were selected for the present investigation. The subjects were all in excellent health and ranged in age between 18 and 40 years for the male group and 18 to 24 years for the female group. Four levels of temperature were used: 74°, 90°, 100° and 110°F Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (23.3°, 32.2°, 37.8° and 43.3°C WBGT respectively). The subjects performed four different perceptual-motor tasks. Results indicate that the subjective estimates of physiological responses to heat can be used as a good indicator of the actual changes occuring in physiological responses due to heat exposure. The subjects were more sensitive to changes occurring in body temperature than to changes occurring in the cardio vascular system. Under the extreme hot condition (110°F (43.3°C) WBGT) subjects underestimated the effect on their physiological responses. Perceptual-motor performance is poorly estimated by subjects during heat exposure.