Body armor, performance, and physiology during repeated high-intensity work task
Article
Article Title | Body armor, performance, and physiology during repeated high-intensity work task |
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ERA Journal ID | 40335 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Larsen, Brianna (Author), Netto, Kevin (Author), Skovli, Daniel (Author), Vincs, Kim (Author), Vu, Sarah (Author) and Aisbett, Brad (Author) |
Journal Title | Military Medicine: international journal of AMSUS |
Journal Citation | 177 (11), pp. 1308-1315 |
Number of Pages | 8 |
Year | 2012 |
Publisher | Oxford University Press |
Place of Publication | United States |
ISSN | 0026-4075 |
1930-613X | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.7205/MILMED-D-11-00435 |
Abstract | This study examined the effect of body armor during repeated, intermittent high-intensity simulated military work. Twelve males performed 11 repetitions of a military style circuit, wearing no armor on one occasion and full armor (∼17 kg) on another. Performance was measured by the time to complete individual work tasks plus overall circuit time to completion. Heart rate, intestinal temperature, and rating of perceived exertion were recorded after each circuit. Participants’ circuit time to completion was 7.3 ± 1.0 seconds slower (p < 0.01) when wearing armor. Shooting, vaulting, and crawling were also slower (0.8 ± 0.2, 0.4 ± 0.2, and 1.0 ± 0.4 seconds, respectively; all p ≤ 0.05). No differences were observed for box lifting. Higher core temperatures were reported for the armor condition for circuit’s 7 to 11 (p = 0.01–0.05). Rating of perceived exertion was higher (1 ± 0; p = 0.03) when wearing armor. No differences were observed for heart rate. Wearing armor impairs repeated high-intensity military task performance. In the relatively short work time utilized, this decrement did not accrue over time. The impairment may, then, be related to the armor load, rather than accumulating fatigue. |
Keywords | body armor; physical performance; exercise; strain |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 420702. Exercise physiology |
350505. Occupational and workplace health and safety | |
Public Notes | Copyright of Military Medicine is the property of Association of Military Surgeons of the United States and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. |
Byline Affiliations | Deakin University |
Australian Defence Apparel, Australia | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q5y35/body-armor-performance-and-physiology-during-repeated-high-intensity-work-task
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