No abstract

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS A physiological status monitoring system was evaluated for use by soldiers in the field. Two different designs were evaluated, with the design based on previous human factors evaluations proven to be more comfortable and acceptable for use. This study demonstrated that the advanced design of the EQ-02 physiological status monitoring system met dismounted soldier needs. Furthermore, this study validated the use of a usability evaluation in the successful design/advancement of a physiological status monitoring system. TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background:Previous research has shown that the form factor of a physiological status monitoring system, the Equivital TM EQ-01 (Hidalgo Ltd., Cambridge, UK) had problems associated with comfort and usability of the system for soldiers. Previous data gathered was used to guide improvements in the physiological status monitoring system. Purpose: Assess whether the previous feedback from usability evaluations helped guide improvements in comfort, acceptability, and usability of a physiological status monitoring system for dismounted soldiers. Improvements to the EQ-01 system were incorporated into the next-generation EQ-02 (Hidalgo Ltd., Cambridge, UK) system. Methods: Thirty-nine infantry dismounted soldiers were randomly assigned to wear either an EQ-01 or EQ-02 system while performing standard military field training. They filled out a survey on fit, comfort, irritation to the body, impact on military performance, and acceptability. They then wore the other system and filled out the same survey. Results: The Equivital TM EQ-02 system was superior in terms of fit (51% better in overall fit), ease of donning (10% easier), comfort (45% more comfortable), impact on military performance (45% less impact), impact on the body (17% less impact), and acceptability (32% more acceptable). All these measures are subjective self-report ratings. Conclusions: A human factors engineering approach provided an effective means of guiding improvements and the production of a physiological status monitoring system that dismounted soldiers were more likely to accept and wear.

Approved for public release; distribution unlimited The study's purpose was to estimate energy expended and metabolic heat produced during tactical law enforcement CBRN training operations. These values will be used to establish a work standard for when encapsulated in PPE during CBRN missions or training. Knowledge of work standards can then be used for mission planning purposes (e.g., establishing work/rest cycles) or to estimate the cooling requirements needed to allow safe operations while wearing CBRN-PPE. Male tactical law enforcement officers (n = 48, age: 40.9 + 6.5 yrs, wt: 88.6 + 12.0 kg, ht: 179 + 6.8 cm; mean + standard deviation) participating in typical CBRN training exercises with PPE served as volunteers. Tactical law enforcement officers expended approximately 475 + 142 kcal during their ~2 hour training exercise. Estimated 24-hour daily EE was ~2420 kcal. Average rate of heat produced over the entire exercise (1 kcal/hr = 1.163 W) was 213 + 31 W. Peak metabolic heat production for activities lasting about a minute was estimated at 668 + 124 W. Tactical law enforcement, CBRN, chemical, biological protection, core temperature, simulation, thermo-physiology, protective equipment, thermal strain, heat illness Unclassified Unclassified Unclassified Unclassified 37

Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8/98) REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGEPrescribed by ANSI Std. Z39.18 Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the burden, Approved for public release; distribution unlimitedIn order to estimate energy expended and metabolic heat produced during Border Patrol (BP) training or operations, 14 male BP personnel were studied over the course of a day. Energy expenditures in kilocalories (kcal) was determined for each activity by individual. Total energy expenditure for the work day (-7 hours) was then established and metabolic heat production estimated assuming mechanical 20% for human movement. It was found that BP personnel expended approximately 1750 +/-540 kcal during their work day which would result in an estimated 24-hour daily energy expenditure of 3150 kcal. An average of 240 +/-60 W of heat was produced over the entire work day (1 kcal/hr = 1.163 W). Peak metabolic heat production for activities lasting 30 minutes or longer was an estimated 360 +/-204 W. Unclassified Unclassified UnclassifiedUnclassified 31Adam Potter