Effects of Work Rate and Temperature on Work/Rest Cycles When Wearing the Chemical Defense Ensemble.
Abstract
Phase I was comprised of three study periods, Phase IB and Phase IC, where subjects walked on a treadmill at ambient temperatures of 70 degrees Farenheit, 80 degrees Farenheit, 90 degrees Farenheit, and 100 degrees Farenheit in an environmental chamber at two different rates of work, tilde 300 watts (3.0 mph, 0% grade) and tilde 450 watts (3.5 mph, 3.5% grade) while wearing a USAF Chemical Defense Ensemble. Subjects walked to a pre-determined core temperature cut-off point (first work cycle). At all temperatures other than 100 degrees Farenheit the subjects recovered in a semi-recumbent resting position to a pre-set core temperature and then completed a second work cycle to the same cut-off point. Subjects attempted to complete as many work cycles as possible in a six-hour period. For the 100 degree Farenheit trials, subjects completed only a single work cycle followed by a 20 minute recovery period. The most important finding from this series of studies was the tremendous individual variability in response to the imposed work rates, however the variability decreased with increasing ambient temperature. There were no variables that consistently predicted the total work time or the work time for the first work cycle. Thus, it is important to acknowledge individual differences in response to exercise while wearing the CDE, and to have military personnel experience working in the CDE under controlled, non-combat conditions where their individual responses can be noted for future reference in combat situations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA336660
Entities
People
- Connie M. Mier
- Heidi K. Byrne
- Jack H. Wilmore
- Janice L. Radcliff
Organizations
- University of Texas at Austin