Work-Related Effects of Heat, Activity, and Fat in Middle Aged Men

Obesity is associated with many undesirable health effects and disease, and middle age is associated with increased risk for disease. Unfortunately, while others have looked at the effects of obesity, gender, and middle age, the combined effects of obesity and middle age on men's ability to do work in hot industrial environments have not been satisfactorily investigated. This small study evaluates the heat tolerance of lean and obese middle aged men both while exercising and resting and the ways in which each compensate for and dissipate increasing environmental heat and heat generated by the body while exercising. As obesity is a worldwide public health crisis and as populations in many industrialized nations age, it is important to understand the combined effects of obesity and middle age for men on their ability to safely work in hot environments. Such information will permit establishing and revising of safe work standards and inform public health outreach to the target population, itself.

Sex

Male

Minimum age

35 Years

Maximum age

55 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Able and willing to give consent and to complete minimum study procedures, as defined by the protocol
* Non-invasive resting blood pressure within normal limits
* Resting electrocardiogram within normal limits
* Hematology and Chemistry (blood) panels within normal limits
* Urinalysis (pH, glucose, and protein) within normal limits
* Negative cardiopulmonary stress test
* Absence of acute or chronic metabolic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and orthopedic disease

Exclusion Criteria:

* Unable or unwilling to give consent or to complete minimum study procedures, as defined by the protocol
* Non-invasive resting blood pressure outside normal limits
* Resting electrocardiogram outside normal limits
* Hematology and Chemistry (blood) panels outside normal limits
* Urinalysis (pH, glucose, and protein) outside normal limits
* Positive cardiopulmonary stress test
* Presence of acute or chronic metabolic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and orthopedic disease

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