Prolonged exposure of the head to strong sunlight significantly impairs cognitively dominated functions and coordination of complex motor tasks shows a new study. This may have important implications for work safety and productivity.
Approximately half of the global population live in regions where heat stress is an issue that affects the ability to live healthy and productive lives. It is well known that working in hot conditions, and the associated hyperthermia (rise in body temperature), may impair the ability to perform physically demanding manual work. However, the effects on cognitively dominated functions, and specifically the influence from sunlight exposure on human brain temperature and function have not been documented.
A 2020 study shows clear negative effects of prolonged exposure of the head to sunlight, implying that we may have underestimated its true effects, as previous studies have traditionally been conducted in the laboratory, without accounting for the marked effect that sun radiation may have -- in particular, when the head is exposed for a prolonged period.
"The novelty of the study is that we provide evidence that direct exposure to sunlight -- especially to the head -- impairs motor and cognitive performance," says Professor Lars Nybo, the project coordinator from Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, UCPH. He continues, "Adding to this, the decline in motor and cognitive performance was observed at 38.5°C, which is a 1-degree lower body temperature than previous studies have shown, which is a substantial difference."
Know more: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/2006...

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