Validity of heart rate derived core temperature estimation during simulated firefighting tasks

Abstract

Abstract Rectal core temperature monitoring can help fire services mitigate heat injury but can be invasive and impractical. EQ02 + LifeMonitor provides a non-invasive estimation of core temperature. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to determine the validity of the EQ02 + LifeMonitor compared to the gold standard rectal thermometer core temperature assessment, as well as the potential influence of turnout gear on the estimated and physiological strain experienced during these activities. Thirteen participants completed simulated firefighting tasks with and without turnout gear, involving four rounds of a 5-min walk on a treadmill at 2.8 mph/2.5% grade and 20 deadlifts over 5 min in an environmental chamber set to 40.6 °C; 50% humidity. During each trial participants wore both an EQ02 + LifeMonitor and DataTherm II rectal thermometer. The results from the devices were statistically equivalent (p 0.372]. These results suggest the EQ02 + LifeMonitor may be a viable, non-invasive alternative for assessing core temperature compared to rectal temperature monitoring, especially during rigorous, intermittent activities. Turnout gear does however increase heart rate, cumulative core temperature, and perceived exertion. Additionally, the validity of the estimated core temperature is not impacted by the use turnout gear. This is likely due to significant changes in heart rate, which allowed the heart-rate derived estimate of core temperature to remain consistent with changes in DataTherm II rectal temperatures.