English

Every spring semester

The overall aim of the course is to provide knowledge about physiology and the effects of extreme Environments on human wellbeing, physiology, health and performance, as well as related prevention and protection.

The course provides knowledge and understanding within chosen topics related to human physiology and the influence of the physical environment on human well-being, health and performance. The topics contain the following
• Introduction to exposure to extreme environments, and limits of human capacity
• Physical work capacity and human performance
• Human heat balance and heat exchange with the environment
• Hot environment
• Cold environment
• Exposure to fire and toxic environment
• Cold water and diving
• High altitude and hypoxic environment
• Space environment
• Survival
• Preventive and protective measures
• Clothing and personal protective equipment
• Methods for risk assessment and simulation
• International standards.

be able to describe the risks associated with human exposure to extreme environments in working life, outdoor life, adventure tourism and extreme sports;
be able to describe the determining factors in extreme environments affecting health, work capacity, comfort, performance and living conditions;
be able to describe the human physical capacities and limitations to adapt to extreme environments, e.g. heat, cold, cold water, fire, high altitude, outer space.

use different assessment methods och criteria for selecting strategies to reduce or eliminate the effects of exterme environments, e.g. through prevention, choice of protective clothing and equipment;
use simulation models to describe the interaction between human and the environment, to evaluate the effects and provide advice on protection;
apply relevant measurement methods for the assessment of the extreme environment effects on human;
independently and critically interpret scientific literature and its relevance in the subject area;
assess risks in extreme environments and recommend adequate protective clothing and equipment.

reflect on his/her personal development and the need of further knowledge in the subject area.

Lectures

Laboratory exercises

Project

The lectures include guest lectures. The supervision is given via a net-based educational platform. The theoretical part of the course is complemented by a small project work in group and three laboratory exercises: 1) maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) test, 2) exercise in a hot environment, 3) exercise in a cold environment.
Attendance is compulsory for the lectures, guest lectures, group works and laboratory exercises.

Written exam

Written report

Written assignments

Seminars given by participants

Examination includes three laboratory exercises, oral and written presentation of the project work in group, and an individual written examination.
The examination, after consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Failed, pass

The course is available to doctoral students within the doctoral education subjects Working Environment and Aerosol Technology and students expected to be accepted to these doctoral education subjects, as well as other doctoral students e.g. in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Health Sciences, Sports Sciences.

Doctoral students within the doctoral education subjects Working Environment and Aerosol Technology and students expected to be accepted to these doctoral education subjects have priority. The admission of other doctoral students e.g. in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Health Sciences, Sports Sciences is subject to availability of places.

 

Prevent: Personlig skyddsutrustning. Prevent, Stockholm, Sverige, 2008, ISBN: 978-91-7365-027-4. ---
Holmér, I.: Human performance in extreme environments. Kompendium, Lund University. 2009. Compendium. ---
Åstrand, P-O., Rohdahl, K., Dahl, H., Strömme, S.: Textbook of work physiology: Physiological bases of exercise. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2003, ISBN: 0-7360-0140-9. Recommended complementary reading. ---
Auerbach P.S.: Wilderness medicine. Mosby, Elsevier, 2007, ISBN: 978-0-323-03228-5. Recommended complementary reading. ---
Gunga H.-C.: Human Physiology in Extreme Environments. Elsevier, 2015, ISBN: 978-0-12-386947-0. Recommended complementary reading. ---
Selection of published articles. Selected scientific papers on specific lecture topics.

MAMF35F

2019-11-13

Åsa Håkansson