Evaluation of Three Commercial Microclimate Cooling Systems
Abstract
Three commercially available microclimate cooling systems were evaluated for their ability to reduce heat stress in men exercising in a hot environment while wearing high insulative, low permeability clothing. The cooling systems were: 1) ILC Dover Model 19 Coolvest (ILC) 2) LSSI Coolhead(LSSI), and 3) Thermacor Cooling vest (THERM). Endurance time (ET), heart rate (HR), rectal temperature (Tre), mean skin temperature (TSK), sweating rate (SR), rated perceived exertion (RPE) and thermal sensation (TS) were measured. The subjects self-terminated on all LSSI tests because of headaches. Statistical analyses were performed on data collected at 60 minutes to have values on all subjects. There were no differences in HR, Tre, SR or TS values among the cooling vests. The subjects' TSK was lower (P<0.05) for the LSSI than THERM: and RPE values were higher (P<0.05) for LSSI than the other two vests. These data suggest an improved physiological response to exercise heat stress with all three commercial systems with the greatest benefit in performance time provided by the ILC cooling system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA206318
Entities
People
- Barry S. Decristofano
- Bruce S. Cadarette
- Karen N. Speckman
- Michael N. Sawka
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine