Relationship of subjective tolerance of respirator loads to physiologic effects and psychophysical load sensitivity

Details

• Personal Author:
  Barrett T ; Harber P ; Loisides P ; Shimozaki S
• Description:
  An investigation was conducted to determine whether relationships exist between subjective tolerance and either physiologic performance or psychophysical sensitivity with respirator type loads. Subjects were 52 normal volunteers. Physiological testing was conducted while walking on a treadmill with various resistance and dead space breathing loads. Psychophysical sensitivity was determined by load scaling sensitivity (LSS), experiments randomly interposed various resistances while seated and resting. Time limit of ability to continue exercise and degree of discomfort were rated by volunteers on visual analog scales during load and no load conditions. Results indicated all physiologic measures of added work of ventilation (average, integrated, and peak work and pressure) were linearly related to both subjective responses. A high degree of colinearity existed between ventilation work measures. Respirator timing variables were linearly related to discomfort ratings but not time limits; prolonging the inspiratory phase increased discomfort levels. Peak flow rate and subjective effort were less closely related than were pressure or work related variables to subjective tolerance. LSS, calculated using either actual added resistance or peak pressure generated as stimuli, was related to both subjective tolerance measures. The increment in subjective intolerance due to respiratory loads was greater in persons with high psychophysiologic load sensitivity. Multiple regression with subjective responses as dependent variables yielded results similar to single variable analyses for predictors of ventilatory work and LSS (peak pressure) but not inspiratory time, inspiratory time and ventilatory work were correlated. The authors conclude there are definite relationships of subjective sensation with ventilatory work, respiratory timing, and psychophysical resistive load sensitivity and that subjective tolerance is definitely related to ventilatory work and pattern of breathing. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Lung Nervous System Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Respiratory Protective Devices Respiratory System Safety
• Keywords:
  Body Burden Humans Personal Protective Equipment Psychophysiological Testing Psychophysiology Pulmonary Function Respirators
• ISSN:
  0096-1736
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  California ; OSHA Region 9
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  31
• Issue:
  8
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00191300
• Citation:
  J Occup Med 1989 Aug; 31(8):681-686
• Contact Point Address:
  Dr Harber, Occupational Medicine Branch, Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1736
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1989
• NORA Priority Area:
  Respirators Research
• Performing Organization:
  University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  19840801
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Occupational Medicine
• End Date:
  19970331
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:9122c8232310507eac578655a1ee62eb862a56f1412dc7852e59a4aab317a9e1cdab68a4135d27d3ab6411a165827618dc0ea58f456a510b9adee7915803d5b9
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/205482/cdc_205482_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 433.04 KB ]