Evaluation of Physiological and Psychological Impairment of Human Performance in Cold Stressed Subjects
Abstract
The effects of 2 shiver suppression techniques on performance of military relevant motor tasks, body heat conservation, and metabolic functions during cold exposure were investigated using a repeated measures MANOVA design. Nine male volunteers, 24.3 + or - 0.8 yr, were exposed for 3 hours to 3 conditions: (1) warm W = 21 deg C air; (2) Cold C = -7 deg C air; and (3) Shiver suppression (SS)= -7 deg C air with shiver suppression techniques (breath holding and voluntary relaxation) applied. Motor speed and accuracy tasks included rifle and pistol shooting and reloading, magazine reloading. Rectal temperature decreased more during SS than in W or C. Skin temperatures and temperature perceptions in C and SS declined more than W, but were similar to each other. Heart rate decreased in W and increased in C and SS. Performance on motor tasks showed decrement's with both C and SS. Decrements in rifle reloading and pistol reloading were less in SS than in C. Decrements in rifle and pistol shooting performance were greater in SS than in C. Decrements in magazine loading were not significantly different in SS and C. In conclusion, SS caused a decline in core temperature, and an improvement in cold exposure performance in simple repetative motor tasks involving little concentration, but a decrement in performance in tasks which required more mental concentration. Shivering, Motor speed, Motor skill, Military tasks, Performance cold exposure, Temperature regulation, Metabolism, Cardiovascular response, Respiratory response, Perception, Electromyogram, Muscle activity, Rifle shooting, Pistol shooting, Rifle loading, Pistol loading, Magazine loading, Rectal temperature, Skin temperature
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 05, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA268637
Entities
People
- Lorentz E. Wittmers
- Richard Hoffman
Organizations
- University of Minnesota Duluth