Open AccessEfficacy of ice slurry and carbohydrate–electrolyte solutions for firefighters
Author(s) -
Tabuchi Shota,
Horie Seichi,
Kawanami Shoko,
Inoue Daisuke,
Morizane Shuhei,
Inoue Jinro,
Nagano Chikage,
Sakurai Masao,
Serizawa Ryo,
Hamada Koichiro
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of occupational health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 1348-9585
DOI - 10.1002/1348-9585.12263
Subject(s) - ingestion , dehydration , electrolyte , carbohydrate , sodium , slurry , chemistry , zoology , medicine , environmental science , biochemistry , biology , environmental engineering , organic chemistry , electrode
Objectives To examine the thermoregulatory and fluid‐electrolyte responses of firefighters ingesting ice slurry and carbohydrate–electrolyte solutions before and after firefighting operations. Methods Twelve volunteer firefighters put on fireproof clothing and ingested 5 g/kg of beverage in an anteroom at 25°C and 50% relative humidity (RH; pre‐ingestion), and then performed 30 minutes of exercise on a cycle ergometer (at 125 W for 10 minutes and then 75 W for 20 minutes) in a room at 35℃ and 50% RH. The participants then returned to the anteroom, removed their fireproof clothing, ingested 20 g/kg of beverage (post‐ingestion), and rested for 90 minutes. Three combinations of pre‐ingestion and post‐ingestion beverages were provided: a 25℃ carbohydrate–electrolyte solution for both (CH condition); 25℃ water for both (W condition); and a −1.7℃ ice slurry pre‐exercise and 25℃ carbohydrate–electrolyte solution post‐exercise (ICE condition). Results The elevation of body temperature during exercise was lower in the ICE condition than in the other conditions. The sweat volume during exercise was lower in the ICE condition than in the other conditions. The serum sodium concentration and serum osmolality were lower in the W condition than in the CH condition. Conclusions The ingestion of ice slurry while firefighters were wearing fireproof clothing before exercise suppressed the elevation of body temperature during exercise. Moreover, the ingestion of carbohydrate–electrolyte solution by firefighters after exercise was useful for recovery from dehydration.