Heat Stress:  Impaired physical and cognitive performance

Heat Stress: Impaired physical and cognitive performance

Heat stress poses significant challenges for athletes on the field of play as well as medical staff in the operating room and hospital settings. I’ve spent 20+ years creating gear to maximize an athlete’s performance by keeping the comfortable, no matter the conditions. In this blog I want to share with you how my scrub brand Kyur is doing the same for medical professionals.

Understanding the Cause and Effect of Heat Stress

The physiological effects of heat stress include increased heart rate, elevated body temperature, excessive sweating, and dehydration. These symptoms diminish a person’s comfort and concentration while also impairing their cognitive function and decision-making abilities.

At Kyur we see medical professionals as our athletes. A 2019 NIH study concluded that heat stress can lead to fatigue and reduced physical endurance, potentially compromising the efficiency and accuracy of medical interventions, which are crucial for performing delicate surgical procedures.

Moreover, prolonged exposure to heat stress has been linked to impaired judgment and slower reaction times. In emergency departments, trauma centers, and intensive care units where rapid decision-making is essential, the cognitive effects of heat stress can have profound implications for patient outcomes.

Chronic exposure to uncomfortable working conditions can erode morale, increase burnout rates, and decrease job satisfaction among medical professionals, affecting retention rates and overall staff well-being.

Tested on Athletes

Our DELTA fabric was custom made and is powered by 37.5® Thermoregulating Technology. To understand how cooling impacts human performance, scientists from the University of Colorado Boulder ran a study to measure how cooling could increase an athlete’s performance. Three tests were conducted where 13 semi-professional cyclist wore one of three garments; a polyester wicking shirt, a polyester shirt with 37.5®, and a cooling vest. While wearing each garment they were measured to see how long they could pedal at their lactate threshold level. When the test subjects wore the 37.5® technology shirts, they were able to perform up to 28% longer because of the slower temperature build-up. This garment functioned just below the cooling vest.

What makes this technology unique is that it evacuates the humidity build up off of your skin’s surface before you start to sweat. Therefore, keeping more comfortable for longer – 28% longer. Traditional wicking shirts only work once you start to sweat, and by then you are wet and uncomfortable.

Visit our website (https://kyurmd.com) and discover how Kyūr's scientifically engineered DELTA Base Layer collections firsthand to discover how our advanced materials and meticulous craftsmanship redefine comfort and functionality in medical apparel.

Kyūr is setting a new benchmark in medical scrubs, blending performance-driven design with sustainable manufacturing practices. Join us in embracing the future of high-performance medical apparel and experience the difference today.

 

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