Do extreme temperatures affect cognition? A short review of the impact of acute heat stress on cognitive performance of firefighters
Research shows that exposure to high environmental temperatures can affect task performance. Theoretical explanations outline that heat is a source of stress that competes for limited-capacity resources, therefore if a task is resource-intensive, and/or if heat stress is extreme, performance will su...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1270898/full |
| _version_ | 1797357679472017408 |
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| author | Catherine Thompson Lucy Ferrie Stephen J. Pearson Brian Highlands Martyn J. Matthews |
| author_facet | Catherine Thompson Lucy Ferrie Stephen J. Pearson Brian Highlands Martyn J. Matthews |
| author_sort | Catherine Thompson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Research shows that exposure to high environmental temperatures can affect task performance. Theoretical explanations outline that heat is a source of stress that competes for limited-capacity resources, therefore if a task is resource-intensive, and/or if heat stress is extreme, performance will suffer. One occupation in which individuals complete demanding tasks and make difficult decisions, often in temperatures exceeding 200°C, is firefighting. Yet very little is currently known about the impact of heat stress on the cognitive functioning of firefighters. This short review summarizes the limited research in this area, focusing on studies that measured cognition of firefighters following a realistic training exercise. The findings are mixed with evidence that heat stress improves, impairs, and has no impact on cognitive functioning. While there are differences in the firefighting activities utilized, and the temperatures that participants were exposed to, it is argued that the varied findings can be attributed to the tasks used to assess cognitive processing, and the cognitive functions being measured. In accordance with the wider field of research, it is concluded that complex functioning, such as sustained attention, vigilance, and working memory is negatively impacted by acute exposure to extreme heat. Greater understanding of factors affecting cognition would inform safety practices and more research is needed to understand how and when heat stress may influence cognition in firefighting scenarios. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T14:48:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1c0bfcd06fa14ca986d223c8ca3776ff |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T14:48:42Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-1c0bfcd06fa14ca986d223c8ca3776ff2024-01-11T04:51:07ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782024-01-011410.3389/fpsyg.2023.12708981270898Do extreme temperatures affect cognition? A short review of the impact of acute heat stress on cognitive performance of firefightersCatherine Thompson0Lucy Ferrie1Stephen J. Pearson2Brian Highlands3Martyn J. Matthews4Department of Psychology, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool, United KingdomSchool of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United KingdomSchool of Health Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, United KingdomSchool of Health Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, United KingdomSchool of Health Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, United KingdomResearch shows that exposure to high environmental temperatures can affect task performance. Theoretical explanations outline that heat is a source of stress that competes for limited-capacity resources, therefore if a task is resource-intensive, and/or if heat stress is extreme, performance will suffer. One occupation in which individuals complete demanding tasks and make difficult decisions, often in temperatures exceeding 200°C, is firefighting. Yet very little is currently known about the impact of heat stress on the cognitive functioning of firefighters. This short review summarizes the limited research in this area, focusing on studies that measured cognition of firefighters following a realistic training exercise. The findings are mixed with evidence that heat stress improves, impairs, and has no impact on cognitive functioning. While there are differences in the firefighting activities utilized, and the temperatures that participants were exposed to, it is argued that the varied findings can be attributed to the tasks used to assess cognitive processing, and the cognitive functions being measured. In accordance with the wider field of research, it is concluded that complex functioning, such as sustained attention, vigilance, and working memory is negatively impacted by acute exposure to extreme heat. Greater understanding of factors affecting cognition would inform safety practices and more research is needed to understand how and when heat stress may influence cognition in firefighting scenarios.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1270898/fullcognitionfirefightersheat stressmaximal adaptability modelcore body temperaturevigilance |
| spellingShingle | Catherine Thompson Lucy Ferrie Stephen J. Pearson Brian Highlands Martyn J. Matthews Do extreme temperatures affect cognition? A short review of the impact of acute heat stress on cognitive performance of firefighters Frontiers in Psychology cognition firefighters heat stress maximal adaptability model core body temperature vigilance |
| title | Do extreme temperatures affect cognition? A short review of the impact of acute heat stress on cognitive performance of firefighters |
| title_full | Do extreme temperatures affect cognition? A short review of the impact of acute heat stress on cognitive performance of firefighters |
| title_fullStr | Do extreme temperatures affect cognition? A short review of the impact of acute heat stress on cognitive performance of firefighters |
| title_full_unstemmed | Do extreme temperatures affect cognition? A short review of the impact of acute heat stress on cognitive performance of firefighters |
| title_short | Do extreme temperatures affect cognition? A short review of the impact of acute heat stress on cognitive performance of firefighters |
| title_sort | do extreme temperatures affect cognition a short review of the impact of acute heat stress on cognitive performance of firefighters |
| topic | cognition firefighters heat stress maximal adaptability model core body temperature vigilance |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1270898/full |
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