Physiological Assessment of Ground Troops under Thermal Stress Associated with Desert Warfare.
Abstract
Sex-related differences in acclimation to a hot-dry environment were evaluated in 10 males and 9 females. The subjects were exposed during early spring to a hot-dry climate: 49 C, 20% rh for 6 consecutive days. Exposures lasted 120 min: 10 min rest, 50 min walk (1.34 m/s) 10 min rest, 50 min walk. Heart rate, rectal temperature (T sub re), mean skin temperature (T sub sk) and heat storage dropped significantly for both sexes (P < 0.05) from the 1st to the 6th day, with no significant changes (P > 0.05) between the last two days, In spite of similar metabolic rates, similar sweat rate and lower heat gain by radiation and convection for the females, their T sub re and T sub sk remained significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those for the males at the end of acclimation. It was suggested that the thermoregulatory set-point is higher for unacclimated women than for men, and that this difference does not disappear with acclimation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 31, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA150990
Entities
People
- Y. Shapiro