Real-time quantification of human physiological state in high temperature environments based on variable weight...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Human Physiology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Accurate real-time evaluation of human physiological state is crucial for safety and early warning in high-temperature environments.
• Traditional constant weight methods for physiological state evaluation can deviate from reality.
• Developing a more scientific quantification method is needed for individuals exposed to heat stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a human physiological state evaluation system using variable weight theory.
• To compare the variable weight method with the constant weight method for index weighting.
• To provide a more reasonable and scientific method for quantifying human physiological states in high-temperature environments.

Main Methods:

• Development of a human physiological state evaluation system.
• Application of constant weight and variable weight theories to determine index weights.
• Quantification of human physiological state through a comprehensive evaluation score.
• Validation of the proposed system via a case study.

Main Results:

• Variable weights for rectal temperature, skin temperature, systolic pressure, and heart rate were determined to be 0.2–0.77, 0.11–0.61, 0.03–0.31, and 0.03–0.31, respectively.
• Skin and rectal temperatures accounted for a significant proportion (50%–92%) of the total weight.
• Physiological parameters with initially small constant weights may become more critical under extremely harmful conditions.

Conclusions:

• The variable weight theory offers a more accurate approach to quantifying human physiological states in high-temperature environments compared to constant weight methods.
• The proposed evaluation system effectively quantifies physiological states, with skin and rectal temperatures being key indicators.
• This research provides a scientific basis for risk assessment and safety guidance for individuals working or living in extreme heat.