Designing and Manufacturing Cooling Pants and Evaluating Their Effects on Heat Strain in hot Laboratory Conditions

Abstract

Background: Heat exposure, as a work-related risk factor, can have a significant effect on human health. This study aimed to design and manufacture evaporative cooling pants and evaluate their effectiveness in reducing heat strain under controlled laboratory conditions. Methods: The study consisted of three stages: developing evaporative cooling pants, assessing their cooling power in a laboratory and evaluating their effectiveness. 12 men wore regular pants and then switched to evaporative cooling pants while their heart rate, skin and ear temperature, and PSI were measured every 5 minutes. Data was analyzed using SPSS software. Findings: The study revealed that the specially designed evaporative shorts lowered the temperature of the thigh skin by 3 °C (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant relationship between the two groups in terms of physiological parameters such as heart rate, ear temperature, and Physiological Strain Index (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The use of designed evaporative cooling pants can have a positive impact on reducing skin temperature. However, it is recommended to test in actual work environments. © 2024, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.