Metabolic Cost of Military Physical Tasks in MOPP 0 and MOPP 4.
Abstract
Energy cost is an essential input to heat strain prediction models. Deficiencies exist, however, in the energy cost of performing physically demanding tasks while operating in MOPP 4 conditions. To evaluate the energy cost of soldiers wearing MOPP 4, approximately 10 men and 10 women performed 42 physical tasks (e.g. load carriage, litter carriage, lift and carry, lift only, etc.) ranging in intensity from 10% to 80% of maximal oxygen uptake. Soldiers performed each task in both MOFP 0 and MOP? 4 conditions. MOPP 4 significantly increased the oxygen uptake in 29 of 42 tasks ( increases from 7% to 26%) and in 23 of 36 tasks for women (increases from 5% to 29%) compared to MOP? 0. Also, as the degree of task mobility increased, the effect of MOP? 4 increased, i.e., tasks which showed the greatest increases in oxygen uptake were those requiring continuous mobility (e.g. load carriage). Gender differences in oxygen uptake with MOP? 4 were only seen for tasks requiring continuous mobility where women increased to a greater degree than men. It is concluded that the marked increase in energy cost with MOP? 4 is attributable to the weight and/or hobbling effect of the clothing, and for tasks requiring mobility of the body across a distance, the effect is greater in women than men.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA294059
Entities
People
- John F. Patton
- Marjorie Harp
- Michelle Murphy
- Robert Mello
- Tracy Bidwell
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine