Effects of a New Cooling Technology on Physical Performance in U.S Air Force Military Personnel

• Main Authors: O'Hara, Reginald, Vojta, Christopher, Henry, Amy, Caldwell, Lydia, Wade, Molly, Dodson, William W, Wright, Bruce
• Other Authors: SCHOOL OF AEROSPACE MEDICINE WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH AEROMEDICAL RESEARCH DEPT
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: Anatomy and Physiology; Medicine and Medical Research; *BODY TEMPERATURE; *COOLING; *PERFORMANCE(HUMAN); AIR FORCE PERSONNEL; HEART RATE; HEAT; HEAT ACCLIMATIZATION; LACTATES; PHYSICAL FITNESS; SHIRTS; SPECIAL FORCES; *HEAT INJURIES; PHYSICAL ACTIVITY; COOLING SHIRTS; CAPILLARY BLOOD LACTATES; EXERTION; Arctic
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA615161; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA615161

Heat-related illness is a critical factor for military personnel. Operating in high-heat environments can alter judgment and physical performance and even result in death. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a cooling shirt provided by Arctic Ease on core body temperature during high-intensity physical activity. Twelve trained ( 80th percentile for aerobic fitness according to the American College of Sports Medicine, 90% on the U.S. Air Force fitness test), male Air Force participants (mean age 25 2.8; height 178 cm 7.9; bodyweight 78 kg 9.6; VO2max 57 mL/kg/min 1.9; and % body fat 10 .03) completed this study. Subjects performed a 70-minute weighted treadmill walking test and 10-minute, 50-pound sandbag shuttle test under two conditions: (1) loaded, shirt with cooling inserts and (2) unloaded, shirt with no cooling inserts. Order of conditions was counterbalanced by subject with a 72-hour recovery period between visits. Core body temperature, exercise heart rate, capillary blood lactate, and ratings of perceived exertion were recorded. Use of a loaded cooling shirt on core body temperature was statistically significant (p=0.001) during the 70-minute treadmill walking test. Peak core temperature during the 70-minute walking test was also statistically significant (p=0.038). No other statistically significant differences were observed for ratings of perceived exertion or blood lactate in either the treadmill or 10-minute sandbag shuttle tests. Heat-related illness is a critical factor for military personnel operating in high-heat environments. Traditional cooling technologies are limited by the need for a power supply, the added weight of the product, and the cooling duration. This lightweight (471 grams), passive cooling technology offers multiple hours of sustained cooling and reduced core and peak body temperature during a 70-minute weighted vest walking test.