Light NBC Protective Combat Suits and Body Hydration During Physical Activities Under Tropical Climate
Abstract
When wearing NBC protective suits in full protection mode, rehydration is fundamental to avoid large dehydration. However the gas mask constitutes a potential constraint for drink ingestion. The aim of this study was to evaluate in a hot country the effect of wearing different light NBC protective combat suits on body hydration during various physical activities. In tropical country, six soldiers have performed moderate and sustained physical activities with different combat suits: standard battle dress and 4 light NBC protective combat suits in full protection mode. Moderate exercise consisted to walk at 4 km/h during 30 min under the sun. Then, subjects sat down under the shade for 30 min (recovery) during which spontaneous rehydration through the gas mask was possible. Sustained exercise consisted to perform the training run of the soldier. Rehydration was provided using imposed rehydration just after the run and rehydration ad libitum during the recovery. During moderate exercise, the sweat rates were higher with TcNBCA and TcNBCB than with the other suits. After exercise, the PV decrease was higher with NBC suits than with standard battle dress. During recovery, the amounts of ingested water were lowered with NBC protective suits (through the gas mask) and were insufficient to correct the water losses and PV reductions. During sustained exercise, the sweat rates were twofold higher with NBC suits than with standard battle dress (P < 0.05). The large PV decrease (about - 6%) just after the run, whatever the suits, could rather be due to the intensity of exercise than to the water losses. Maximal amounts of water ingested through the gas mask after the run were small and insufficient to compensate efficaciously the fluid losses. Our results have shown the importance of the fluid losses when wearing light NBC suits in full protection mode during various exercises in hot country.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADP012446
Entities
People
- A. Charpenet
- B. Melin
- B. Warme-janville
- J. Y. Pelicand