Evaluation of Physiological Strain Index Based on Heart Rate for Heat strain Assessment in Workplace

Heat strain is one of the main and the most common problems in the workplaces. Extreme heat exposure can cause different clinical symptoms, including headache and cardiac ischemia. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the physiological strain index based on heart rate in In Vitro for heat strain assessment in workplace.
This cross-sectional design was conducted on 15 males who selected via simple random sampling in Autumn 2014 in five different temperature conditions (21,24,27,30 and 35ºc) in the climate chamber and on the treadmill in light (2.4 kph) and medium (4.8 kph) physical activity. Heart rate for physiological strain index, oral temperature, Borg scale of perceived exertion and Heat Strain Score Index (HSSI) questionnaire were measured.
Findings: Pearson correlation coefficient test showed significant correlation between physiological strain index based on heart rate with oral temperature (r=0.71, p The results revealed that physiological strain index based on heart rate is a suitable method for evaluating strain heat caused by thermal stress.