Assessment of Anthropometric Trends and the Effects on Thermal Regulatory Models: Females Versus Males
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate secular change in body dimensions (height, weight, %body fat (%BF)) in U.S. Army female soldiers, by comparing the 2004 and 1988 databases. Identified anthropometric somatotypes were subsequently incorporated in a thermal regulatory model to examine simulated individual differences in core temperature (Tcr) to heat stress (rest for 30 min and walk @ 3mph with 12 kg load in 35 C/50%rh environment for 70 min). The results were also compared to those from the male study. The univariate results indicated that the secular trend, greater increases in weight (3.1kg) and %BF (1.8%) (p < 0.05, after Bonferroni correction) than men were observed in the 2004 database. Multivariate results demonstrated that five primary somatotypes ("tall-fat," "tall-thin," "average," "short-thin," "short-fat") were identified. Despite the increase in "fatness," the secular trend of female body composition in multivariate dimensions and its effects on Tcr were not significantly different between the 1988 and 2004 databases. Anthropometric values in each somatotype differed by gender but surprisingly affected minimal gender differences in predicated Tcr to heat stress simulations..
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA474531
Entities
People
- Gaston P. Bathalon
- Larry G. Berglund
- Miyo Yokota
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine