Impact of a Protective Vest and Spacer Garment on Exercise-Heat Strain
Abstract
Protective vests worn by global security personnel, and weighted vests worn by athletes, may increase physiological strain due to added load, increased clothing insulation and vapor resistance. The impact of protective vest clothing properties on physiological strain, and the potential of a spacer garment to reduce physiological strain, was examined. Eleven men performed 3 trials of intermittent treadmill walking over 4 h in a hot, dry environment (35 C, 30% rh). Volunteers wore the US Army battle dress uniform (trial B), B + protective vest (trial P), and B + P + spacer garment (trial S). Biophysical clothing properties were determined and found similar to many law enforcement, industry, and sports ensembles. Physiological measurements included core (T sub c), mean skin (T sub sk) and chest (T sub chest) temperatures, heart rate (HR), and sweating rate (SR). The independent impact of clothing was determined by equating metabolic rate in all trials. In trial P, HR was +7 b/min higher after 1 h of exercise and +19 b/min by the fourth hour compared to B (P<0.05). T sub c (+0.30 C), T sub sk (+1.0 C) and Physiological Strain Index were all higher in P than B (P<0.05). S did not abate these effects except to reduce T sub sk (P>S) via a lower T sub chest (-0.40 C) (P<0.05). SR was higher (P<0.05) in P and S versus B, but the magnitude of differences was small. A protective vest increases physiological strain independent of added load, while a spacer garment does not alter this outcome.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA477047
Entities
People
- Daniel A. Goodman
- Michael N. Sawka
- Robert W. Kenefick
- Samuel N. Cheuvront
- Scott J. Montain
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine