This experiment determined the duration that rapid heat stress (RHS) impacts neural function and reaction time. Previous research has discovered that RHS results in neural function changes immediately post-exposure. No studies have evaluated the duration that these variables are impacted. Additionally, research has not assessed the impact of RHS on reaction time. We hypothesized that RHS would lead to sustained electroencephalography (EEG) spectral power and reaction time changes. Twenty participants performed a treadmill protocol in an environmental chamber (35 °C; 45% humidity) in firefighter personal protective equipment until reaching a core temperature of 39 °C. The subjects performed a Go/No-Go (response inhibition) task (pre-, post-, 24, and 48 h post-RHS) while EEG and reaction time were recorded. Results from the Go/No-Go task revealed a difference between pre-RHS and post-RHS delta spectral power. These differences support previous literature. The first novel finding of this study is that delta power is still perturbed 24 h post-RHS exposure. The second novel finding is that reaction time is altered post-RHS, 24 h, and 48 h post-RHS. These cognitive changes could result in compounded consequences if two bouts of RHS occur in 24 h (e.g., two fires or other hyperthermic events), which could jeopardize critical life-saving missions.

中文翻译：

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快速热应激会导致暴露后 24 小时的 Delta 光谱功率增加，并通过其产生热量的动态能力改变消防员的反应时间

该实验确定了快速热应激（RHS）影响神经功能和反应时间的持续时间。先前的研究发现，RHS 会在暴露后立即导致神经功能发生变化。没有研究评估这些变量受到影响的持续时间。此外，研究尚未评估 RHS 对反应时间的影响。我们假设 RHS 会导致持续的脑电图 (EEG) 光谱功率和反应时间变化。20 名参与者穿着消防员个人防护装备，在环境室（35°C；45% 湿度）中进行跑步机实验，直至核心温度达到 39°C。受试者执行 Go/No-Go（反应抑制）任务（RHS 前、后、24 小时和 48 小时），同时记录 EEG 和反应时间。Go/No-Go 任务的结果揭示了 RHS 前和 RHS 后 delta 光谱功率之间的差异。这些差异支持了先前的文献。这项研究的第一个新发现是，在 RHS 暴露后 24 小时，Delta 功率仍然受到干扰。第二个新发现是 RHS 后、RHS 后 24 小时和 48 小时反应时间发生改变。如果 24 小时内发生两次 RHS（例如两次火灾或其他高温事件），这些认知变化可能会导致复合后果，这可能危及关键的救生任务。