Effect of a Simulated Mine Rescue on Physiological Variables and Heat Strain of Mine Rescue Workers

OBJECTIVE: To describe physiological responses of mine rescuers during a simulated mine emergency. METHODS: Body-worn monitors (n = 74) and core temperature (T(c)) capsules (n = 54) assessed heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), energy expenditure (EE), oxygen consumption ([Image: see text]), T(c) and skin temperature (T(skin)), by team position and task. A multivariate analysis was performed with team positions, tasks, and measures as factors. RESULTS: HR(mean) and HR(peak) were 78.6% and 94.5%, respectively, of predicted maximum heart rate. Arduous labor tasks elicited higher HR, RR, and [Image: see text] than casualty care. Captains exhibited lower HR(mean), HR(peak), RR, RR(peak), [Image: see text] , T(c), and T(skin) compared with other positions. T(c mean) exceeded 38.6 °C (n = 14 recorded T(c) >39 °C). CONCLUSIONS: Captains’ physical loading and heat stress were lowest. Nonetheless, all tasks and positions induced high physical load and heat strain.