Evaluating the Physiological Strain Induced by a BC Protective Undergarment Under Exercise-heat Stress

Evaluating the Physiological Strain Induced by a BC Protective Undergarment Under Exercise-heat Stress

Evaluating the Physiological Strain Induced by a BC Protective Undergarment Under Exercise-heat Stress

Israel ministry of defense is examining a new protective undergarment of GORE company (chempark fabric) for the police forces. The goal of this research is to perform a comparative experiment in order to evaluate the physiological strain induced by a BC protective undergarment under exercise-heat stress conditions.

In order to physiologically evaluate a new BC protective garment for the Israeli police use under exercise-heat stress conditions, 10 young and healthy civilian volunteers will participate in this study. The subjects will undergo 5 experiment days: Recruitment day, one day of acclimatization to heat, and 3 days of performing experiment protocol, each day dressed with different protective garment (Protective garment in current use + NBC mask, new BC protective undergarment + standard combat uniforms, new BC protective undergarment + standard combat uniforms + NBC mask). Core (rectal) and skin temperature and heart rate will be monitored continuously, liquid balance will be recorded.the physiological heat strain will be assessed and compared between the different protective garments.

10 young and healthy civilian volunteers will participate in this study. The subjects will undergo 5 experiment days: Recruitment , medical examination and VO2max test. Acclimatization day by performing moderate exercise protocol under hot and humid climate. 3 days of performing moderate exercise under hot and humid conditions protocol, each day dressed with different protective garment: Protective garment in current use + NBC mask. The new BC protective undergarment + standard combat uniforms The new BC protective undergarment + standard combat uniforms + NBC mask

acclimatization day protocol: 2 hour effort performed in a climatic chamber, which include walk on a treadmill at 5 Km/h on a 2% incline under heat conditions (40 deg. centigrade & 40% RH) Core (rectal) and skin temperature and heart rate will be monitored continuously experiment days (3 days): 2 hour effort (2 cycles of: 50 min walk and 10 min rest-sitting) performed in a climatic chamber, which include walk on a treadmill at 5 Km/h on a 2% incline under heat conditions (30 deg. centigrade & 60% RH) Core (rectal) and skin temperature and heart rate will be monitored continuously.

The physiological strain will be determined by body core temperature and heart rate of the subjects during a heat tolerance test (HTT).

The rectal temperature will be monitored by a rectal thermistor during each heat tolerance test (HTT).

The heart rate will be monitored using a wearable heart rate monitor (Polar® sensor and heart rate monitor watch).

Inclusion Criteria: Aged 18-40 years. Healthy civilian volunteers. Without known medical illness or medication use. Exclusion Criteria: The existence or suspicion of existing cardiac or respiratory disease. Hypertension. Diabetes. Psychiatric condition. Any muscles or skeleton condition. Any hormonal disease or any other chronic illness that may inhibit participation in the experiment. Infectious disease 3 days prior to the experiment.