Modified Stroop task performance when wearing protective clothing in the heat: An evaluation of the maximum adaptability model

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
File version

Accepted Manuscript (AM)

Author(s)
Doohan, Meg A
Stewart, Ian B
Coulter, Tristan J
Drovandi, Christopher
Weier, Steven
Borg, David N
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2022
Size
File type(s)
Location
Abstract

Introduction: This exploratory study investigated whether performance in a behavioural inhibition task followed the shape proposed by the Maximum Adaptability Model during progressive exertional heat stress—that is, an initial improvement in cognitive performance is followed by a plateau, and subsequent decline once body temperature continues to rise unabated. Methods: Seventeen adult males walked on a treadmill at 4 km h−1 (1% grade) for up to 120 min, in three protective clothing ensembles, across three simulated environments. The simulated environments were equivalent to wet bulb globe temperatures 21, 30 and 37 °C. Cognitive function was assessed using a modified colour-word Stroop Task, with performance expressed as inverse efficiency scores in the simple (congruent) and more complex (incongruent) task conditions. The Stroop Task was completed before a trial, at termination, and every 30 min during walking, and core body temperature was continuously measured. Data were modelled using Bayesian penalised regression, with core body temperature included as a non-linear term (i.e., second degree polynomial). Results: We did not find any evidence that core body temperature had an effect on congruent or incongruent inverse efficiency scores, and no evidence that the relationship between these variables followed the shaped described by the Maximum Adaptability Model. There was, however, evidence that higher pre-exercise serum osmolality values were associated with slower congruent (β = 9.19) and incongruent (β = 8.67) inverse efficiency scores. The posterior probability that these effects were greater than zero was 0.971 and 0.952, respectively. Conclusions: In young, fit men, performance in the behavioural inhibition task was unaffected by increases in body temperature up to 39 °C and did not follow the shape proposed by the Maximum Adaptability Model. A secondary finding of the study was that pre-exercise hydration status affected performance in the inhibition task. Future studies are needed to confirm this result.

Journal Title

Physiology & Behavior

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume

246

Issue
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement

© 2022 Elsevier. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, providing that the work is properly cited.

Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Biological sciences

Biomedical and clinical sciences

Psychology

Social Sciences

Science & Technology

Life Sciences & Biomedicine

Psychology, Biological

Behavioral Sciences

Persistent link to this record
Citation

Doohan, MA; Stewart, IB; Coulter, TJ; Drovandi, C; Weier, S; Borg, DN, Modified Stroop task performance when wearing protective clothing in the heat: An evaluation of the maximum adaptability model, Physiology & Behavior, 2022, 246, pp. 113690

Collections