Health and Performance of Antarctic Winter-Over Personnel: A Follow-Up Study.
Abstract
Despite extensive previous research on the health and performance of Antarctic winter-over personnel while they are 'on the ice,' little is known about the long-term effects of the winter-over experience. Using the records of enlisted personnel who applied to the Operation Deep Freeze program between 1963 and 1973, the health and service history data available on these individuals at the Naval health Research Center were examined to determine if incidence rates and performance criteria were significantly different between a group of winter-over personnel and a control group of enlisted personnel who were rated as acceptable by a screening team but who did not winter over. Results indicated that the overall incidence rate for the winter-over group was significantly lower than the rate for the control group. The winter-over group also had significantly fewer first hospitalizations for neoplasms, endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic disorders, and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. No differences between the two groups were observed on any of the performance indices. Results suggest that wintering over does not adversely affect subsequent health and performance of enlisted personnel, and tht the screening program has been successful in selecting the best candidates in terms of these criteria. Keywords: Morbidity; Performance; Hospitalizations; and Health risks.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA161773
Entities
People
- Lawrence A Palinkas
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center