Citation

McLellan TM, Boscarino C, Duncan EJ. Ergonomics 2013; 56(2): 327-337.

Affiliation

a Individual Behaviour and Performance Section, DRDC Toronto , Toronto , ON , M3K 2C9 , Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00140139.2012.746738

PMID

23231665

Abstract

This study examined whether vents in the arms, legs and chest of new protective assault uniforms (PTAU) reduced heat strain at 35°C during a low dressed state (DS(low)), and subsequently improved tolerance time (TT) after transitioning to DS(high) compared with the battle dress uniform and overgarment (BDU+O). Small but significant reductions in rectal temperature (T (re)), heart rate and vapour pressures over the thigh and shin were observed during DS(low) with vents open (37.9 ± 0.2°C, 120 ± 10 b/min, 3.7 ± 0.4 and 3.5 ± 1.0 kPa) versus closed (38.0 ± 0.1°C, 127 ± 5 b/min, 4.3 ± 0.3 and 4.6 ± 0.5 kPa). During DS(high) T (re) was reduced and TT increased significantly with the PTAUs (1.1 ± 0.2°C/h and 46 ± 24 min) versus BDU+O (1.6 ± 0.2°C/h and 33 ± 16 min). The vents marginally reduced heat strain during DS(low) and extended TT during DS(high) compared with BDU+O. Practitioner Summary: Clothing vents in chemical and biological protective uniforms can assist with heat transfer in situations where the uniforms must be worn for extended periods prior to exposure to a hazardous condition. Once the vents are closed, exposure time is increased and the increase in body temperature reduced.

Language: en