The overall goal of this project is to identify a work/rest cycle that allows for faster mission completion needed in emergency situations, compared to current Army heat guidance, while mitigating heat strain and neuromuscular fatigue. This project will determine the trade-off between faster mission completion and risk of heat strain and physical performance decrements. Completion of this project will allow military leaders to make informed decisions by understanding the impact of their choices on the magnitude of physical performance decrements and expected heat casualties, setting up hot weather missions for success.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
24
Participants will walk on a treadmill while wearing a weighted backpack to a work/rest cycle of 30 minutes of work followed by 30 minutes of rest.
Participants will walk on a treadmill while wearing a weighted backpack to a work/rest cycle of 30 minutes of work followed by 20 minutes of rest.
Participants will walk on a treadmill while wearing a weighted backpack to a work/rest cycle of 40 minutes of work followed by 30 minutes of rest.
Participants will walk on a treadmill while wearing a weighted backpack to a work/rest cycle of 20 minutes of work followed by 12 minutes of rest.
Center for Research and Education in Special Environments
Buffalo, New York, United States
RECRUITINGCore temperature
Maximum gastrointestinal temperature reached during the work protocol
Time frame: 180 minutes of work
Isometric mid-thigh pull strength
Maximum voluntary contraction strength assessed using a force plate
Time frame: 180 minutes of work
Metabolic cost
Collected expired air using a one-way mask will be analyzed using a metabolic cart to calculate metabolic heat production
Time frame: 180 minutes of work
Heart rate
Maximum heart rate measured using a telemetry strap throughout the work protocol
Time frame: 180 minutes of work
Mean skin temperature
Maximum skin temperature measured using buttons at four skin sites
Time frame: 180 minutes of work
Vastus lateralis electromyography
Wireless electromyography electrodes placed lengthwise over the vastus lateralis muscle belly
Time frame: 180 minutes of work
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