BackgroundOperation of infantry combat vehicle (ICV) influences the cardiorespiratory responses as well as the risk of vibration exposure on the crew members which adversely affect their performance and health.AimTo assess the effect of stress factors, that is, ICV’s compartmental temperature, relative humidity (RH) and vehicular vibration on the physiological parameters (heart rate (HR), respiratory frequency (RF), estimated core body temperature (ECT)) of the crew members during the ICV operation.MethodsA 1 hour run trial of the ICV operation was conducted with its crew members at their respective positions. Compartmental temperature and RH were monitored at an interval of every 15 min during the run trial. Physiological parameters were monitored continuously during the run trial. Whole body vibration (WBV) and hand-arm vibration (HAV) of the crew members were also measured during the run trial time.ResultsThe findings showed a strong positive correlation (p<0.05) between the increasing compartmental temperature and RH with its run trial time. Significant changes were observed in the physiological parameters (p<0.05) along with the increasing run trial time. Additionally, the physiological parameters showed a strong positive correlation with compartmental temperature and RH, respectively (p<0.05). Also, a significant increase (p<0.05) in the muscle strength was recorded after their exposure to ICV operation. The study also confirmed high level of WBV exposure of the crew members during the ICV operation.ConclusionIncrease in HR, RF and ECT along with increase in temperature and RH is a predictive indicator of physiological stress. Moreover, high levels of vibration exposure of various operations may bring deleterious effect on soldiers’ health as well as their performance. Proper ergonomic intervention can reduce exposure to vibration, physiological stress and increase comfort which may ultimately ensure an optimum performance of soldiers and successful completion of mission.

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AIM: The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of long-distance load marching on the physiological responses, walking efficiency, and mobility of soldiers at sandy desert environment. METHODS: A total of nine physically fit soldiers (age, 30.00 [SE 0.9] years; height, 175.56 [SE 1.18] cm; and weight, 77.83 [SE 1.37] kg) volunteered for long-distance (6 km) load marching by self-selected speed when carrying 22 kg (28.27% of body weight [BW]) load and no load (NL). Heart rate (HR), respiratory frequency (RF), and core body temperature (CBT) were recorded. Relative workload (RWL) and Physiological Cost Index (PCI) were calculated to assess the work intensity and mobility. RESULTS: It was observed that HR (P = 0.01), RWL (P = 0.01), and PCI (P = 0.01) were significantly increased by 23.79, 39.71, and 77.73%, respectively, and mobility was significantly reduced (P = 0.01) by 18.56% during marching with 22 kg load as compared to NL. CONCLUSION: It may be that marching without external load at speed of 4.85 ± 0.54 km/h should not be continued for more than 2 h, whereas marching with load of 28.27% of BW at speed of 3.95 ± 0.55 km/h should be restricted to maximum 30 min. This combination of load, speed, and duration provides information about soldiers' routine load carriage tasks, which may help in optimizing the load carriage task to reduce the chances of cumulative carriage-related injuries and, therefore, may contribute to improved soldiers' operational readiness and mobility.

Background: Prevalence of anaemia in pregnant women is 14% in developed and 58-89.6% in pregnant Indian women. Parenteral iron is seems to be an option in the treatment of moderate iron deficiency anaemia which allow high doses of iron to be administered rapidly, in those who are intolerant to oral iron, have  poor compliance to oral iron or gastrointestinal disorder. The objective was to compare the efficacy of newer drug, inravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) with intravenous iron sucrose.Methods: Group A were given injection FCM and group B were given injection iron sucrose. FCM was given in one or two sittings depending on iron requirement and iron sucrose was given in divided doses. Haemogram was done at baseline and on day 3 and 21 and at 12 weeks. All the observations were tabulated and analysed.Results: The mean rise in haemoglobin values from baseline in the FCM group was 0.20±0.06 at 3rd day, 2.03±0.47 at 3 weeks, 3.86±0.53 at 12 weeks compared to iron sucrose group, which was 0.11±0.08 at 3rd day, 1.51±0.39 at 3 weeks, and 3.22±0.54 at 12 weeks, which was statistically significant and showed that the haemoglobin levels were increased more in FCM group. Target haemoglobin was achieved in 92% women in FCM group and 78% women in iron sucrose group.Conclusions: Women in the FCM group achieved significantly higher haemoglobin level than in iron sucrose group. It was given in fewer sittings, hence was more convenient with better efficacy.