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EFFECT OF SPACER GARMENT ON PHYSIOLOGICAL STRAIN DURING EXERCISE IN THE HEAT WHEN WEARING PROTECTIVE VESTS

Abstract

J.D. Adams, Brendon P. McDermott, Christian B. Ridings, Lacey Mainer, Matthew S. Ganio, and Stavros A. Kavouras, FACSM. Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR.; email: jxa014@uark.edu

Numerous cooling technologies have been developed to reduce heat strain when wearing a variety of protective ensembles during military and law enforcement duties. Some cooling vests demonstrate improved sweat evaporation and decreased core temperature when worn along with protective body armor. Spacer garments represent a potentially lighter, cost-efficient method for improved airflow. PURPOSE: To determine if a spacer garment reduces physiological strain during exercise in the heat when wearing a military protective vest or a law enforcement concealable vest. METHODS: Sixteen men (24.5 ± 3.9 yrs.; 179.5 ± 5.6 cm; 84.6 ± 12.3 kg) performed either 2 or 4 trials of treadmill walking (3.1 mph; 2% grade) over 120 min in a hot, dry environment (37°C, 30% rh, wind speed 3.5 m·s). Participants completed trials with either a military patrol vest or a law enforcement concealable vest, with either a spacer garment (Ps; Cs) or no spacer garment (Pc; Cc) in random order. During trials, participants wore Army Combat Uniform pants and physiological measurements that were measured every 5 min included gastrointestinal temperature (TGI), mean skin (Tsk) temperature, heart rate (HR), and sweating rate (SR). RESULTS: In the patrol trial (Ps vs. Pc), no differences in final TGI (38.2 ± 0.4 vs. 38.3 ± 0.4°C), Tsk (35.0 ± 0.9 vs. 35.0 ± 1.0 °C), HR (142 ± 19 vs. 143 ± 23 bpm), or SR (1.15 ± 1.13 vs. 1.54 ± 0.46 L/hr) existed (P>0.05). In the concealable trial (Cs vs. Cc), no differences in final TGI (38.0 ± 0.4 vs. 38.1 ± 0.3°C), Tsk (35.3 ± 1.1 vs. 35.6 ± 0.9°C), HR (132 ± 20 vs. 135 ± 20 bpm), or SR (1.39 ± 0.52 vs.1.37 ± 0.18 L/hr) existed (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: When participants exercised with either a military protective vest or a law enforcement concealable vest while wearing the spacer garment, there were no thermoregulatory differences when compared to control trials. Thus, the passive spacer garment had no effect on the physiological responses during mild exercise in the heat.

Funded by Cortac.

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