Effects of Various Environmental Stressors on Cognitive Performance
Abstract
Rigorous testing instruments and psychometric methods are required to assess the effects of environmental stressors upon cognitive performance. This paper presents findings and illustrates our methodology for evaluating the effects of several types of environmental stressors. Various cognitive performances were investigated experimentally with paper and pencil tasks in repeated-measures paradigms for several high altitudes, an altitude-treatment strategy, dehydration, cold, and atropine in a hot environment. Cognitive performance was impaired on most tasks by each stressor. Impairments were usually due to decreases in the rate of performance rather than increased errors, e.g. problem solving rates decreased linearly from 4500-7600 m (15,000 - 25,000 ft) high altitude during a 40-day progressive exposure. Recovery of performance during 2 days at 4600 m depended upon the task; not all tasks improved fully. A treatment strategy (tyrosine) minimized altitude-induced performance impairments on some tasks. Keywords: Hyperbaric conditions; Hypoxia; Dehydration; Exposure(Physiology).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA188762
Entities
People
- B. L. Shukitt
- D. E. Roberts
- E. A. Crohn
- L. E. Banderet
- R. L. Burse
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine