Ventilated vest and tolerance for intermittent exercise in hot, dry conditions with military clothing

Barwood, Martin, Newton, Phillip and Tipton, Michael (2009) Ventilated vest and tolerance for intermittent exercise in hot, dry conditions with military clothing. Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine, 80 (4). pp. 353-359. ISSN 0095-6562

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Abstract

ntroduction: Recent research has focused on developing air-ventilated garments to improve evaporative cooling in military settings. This study assessed a ventilated vest (Vest) in hot (45°C), dry (10% RH) ambient conditions over 6 h of rest and exercise. It was hypothesized that the Vest would lower the thermal strain and increase the amount of exercise done by subjects. Methods: Eight healthy heat-acclimated men, wearing combat clothing, body armor, and a 19-kg load in webbing walked on a treadmill at 5 km · h−1 at a 2% incline until rectal temperature (Trec) reached 38.5°C. They then rested until Trec reached 38°C, at which point they recommenced walking. On one occasion the subjects wore a Vest, blowing ambient air around the torso. On the second occasion subjects did not wear the vest (NoVest). Exercise/rest ratio, Trec, skin temperature (Tsk), sweat responses, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and thermal comfort (TC) were measured. Results: Subjects wearing the Vest exercised for significantly longer (18%; 11 min/h) as a percentage of total exposure time, stopped exercise significantly less often [Mean (SD); NoVest: 3 (2) stops; Vest: 1 (2) stops], and maintained significantly lower skin temperature under the body armor [Tchest: NoVest 37.55 (0.51)°C; Vest: 35.33 (1.00)°C; Tback: NoVest: 36.85 (0.83)°C; Vest: 35.84 (0.88)°C]. The Vest provided 28 W of cooling during exercise and 73 W when at rest as estimated by thermometry. Conclusion: A ventilated vest can provide cooling, and thereby reduce thermal strain and increase exercise done in dry environmental temperatures up to 45°C, without causing skin irritation and discomfort.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	C600 Sports Science
Department:	Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation
Depositing User:	Ay Okpokam
Date Deposited:	15 Jul 2014 11:02
Last Modified:	12 Oct 2019 15:29
URI:	http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/17202

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