Prediction of Thermal Stress Casualties
Abstract
Young adult male subjects (n=15) were monitored under conditions featuring various combinations of three factors: work (rest or treadmill walking at 50% VO2, clothing (USAF flight) suit or USAF flight suit plus the MOPP-IV chemical defense ensemble (CDE)), and environment (in an air-conditioned laboratory or outside in the desert summer). Biogenic amine and metabolite responses were determined from timed urine samples using the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection. The response profiles of subjects (n=9) able to persist in their exercise while wearing CDE outdoors in the heat were compared with those (n=6) unable to persist (those who voluntarily terminated exercise at 50% VO2 max before they had worked for 30 min or reached a rectal temperature of 38.5 C (101.3 F)). The data supports the conclusion that subjects who persisted in their exercise did so because they pushed themselves harder. In doing so. they experienced a higher level of physiological stress as indicated by the alteration in the excretion rates of the biogenic amines and metabolites. Keywords: Evaporative heat loss; Body heat; Convective heat loss; Chemical defense ensemble; Neurotransmitters; Oxygen consumption; Wet bulb globe temperature.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA212356
Entities
People
- Don W. Morgan
- Gary S. Krahenbuhl
- Jeffrey K. Allen
- Joseph Harris
- Stefan H. Constable
Organizations
- Arizona State University