Table 3 Complete list of interventions evaluated by effectiveness, cost, feasibility and sustainability
Intervention | Strength of evidence | Effectiveness (best/ (worst) scenario) | Cost (considering acquisition and operation) | Feasibility (indoor/ small spaces | Feasibility (outdoor/ open spaces) | Environmental impact (ecological foot print) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Environmental conditioning | ||||||
Air conditioning | 2 | 3.0 / (0.75) | HIGH | −0.8 | −2.9 | HIGH |
Misting fan | 2 | 2.5 / (1.4) | MOD | −1 | −1.8 | MOD |
Fanning | 3 | 2.4 / (1.2) | MOD | −0.8 | −1.9 | MOD |
Shading | 1 | 2.3 / (0.6) | LOW | −0.7 | −1.3 | LOW |
Clothing | ||||||
Air cooled garments | 3 | 3.0 / (2.3) | HIGH | −2 | − 2.6 | HIGH |
Liquid cooled garments | 3 | 3.0 / (2.3) | HIGH | −2.3 | −3 | HIGH |
Cooling vest | 3 | 1.7 / (1.7) | MOD | −1.3 | −2 | MOD |
Elevated design clothing | 1 | 1.2 / (1.2) | MOD | −1.4 | − 1.7 | MOD |
Ventilator-incorporated clothing | 1 | 1.1 / (1.1) | MOD | −1.8 | − 1.8 | MOD |
Compression garments | 3 | 1.0 / (0.8) | MOD | −1.3 | −1.6 | LOW |
Protective clothing | 2 | 0.7 / (0.6) | MOD | −1.6 | − 1.7 | LOW |
Innate conditioning | ||||||
Short term HA | 3 | 1.9 / (1.8) | NONE | −1.7 | −1 | NONE |
Medium term HA | 3 | 2.5 / (2.4) | NONE | −1.4 | −0.9 | NONE |
Long term HA | 3 | 2.9 / (2.6) | NONE | −1.6 | − 1.1 | NONE |
Aerobic fitness | 3 | 2.9 / (2.1) | NONE | −1.2 | −1.0 | NONE |
Personal cooling solutions | ||||||
Cold water immersion | 3 | 2.2 / (1.9) | MOD | −1.6 | −1.9 | LOW |
Intravenous cooling | 2 | 2.3 / (1.7) | HIGH | −2.3 | −2.6 | MOD |
Cold air inhalation | 2 | 2.1 / (1.2) | HIGH | −2.1 | −2.5 | MOD |
Cold fluid ingestion | 3 | 2.0 / (1.7) | MOD | −1.3 | −1.5 | LOW |
Cooling packs | 3 | 1.8 / (1.5) | MOD | −1.6 | −2.1 | MOD |
Skin wetting | 3 | 1.7 / (1.4) | LOW | −1.9 | −1.6 | LOW |
Neck/head cooling | 3 | 1.2 / (1.1) | MOD | −1.7 | − 1.5 | LOW |
Ice towels | 2 | 1.5 / (1.3) | MOD | −2.2 | −1.9 | LOW |
Cooling glove | 2 | 0.8 / (0.6) | MOD | −1.8 | −2.2 | MOD |
External menthol use | 3 | 0.7 / (0.3) | LOW | −2 | −1.9 | LOW |
CInternal menthol use | 3 | 0.7 / (0.3) | LOW | −1.8 | − 1.7 | LOW |
Pacing | ||||||
Change in work schedule | 0 | 2.0 / (1.5) | NONE | −1.5 | −1.6 | NONE |
Work intensity reduction | 1 | 1.8 / (1.8) | NONE | −1 | −1.1 | NONE |
Breaks | 1 | 1.3 / (1.3) | NONE | −1 | −1.1 | NONE |
Hydration and nutrition | ||||||
Hydration | 3 | 2.0 / (2.0) | LOW | −1 | −0.9 | NONE |
Electrolyte consumption | 1 | 1.2 / (0.9) | LOW | −0.7 | −0.6 | NONE |
Carbohydrate ingestion | 2 | 0.6 / (0.6) | LOW | −0.7 | −0.6 | LOW |
Protein ingestion | 2 | 0.3 / (0.3) | LOW | −0.7 | − 0.6 | LOW |