Aerospace medicine and human performance
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Aerosp Med Hum Perform · Jan 2019
Randomized Controlled TrialPrecooling, Exertional Heatstroke Risk Factors, and Postexercise Cooling Rates.
Precooling (PC) before exercise may help prevent severe hyperthermia and exertional heatstroke (EHS). Before clinicians can advocate PC as an EHS prevention strategy, it must effectively mitigate factors associated with EHS development while not lessening the effectiveness of EHS treatment. Therefore, this study determined if PC affected rectal temperature (Trec), body heat storage, heart rate (HR), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), thermal sensation, sweat rate, and postexercise cold-water immersion (CWI) Trec cooling rates. ⋯ PC lowered body heat storage and Trec by 15.7 ± 15.0 W · m-2 and 0.42 ± 0.40°C, respectively, before exercise. Subjects exercised significantly longer (PC = 66.7 ± 16.3 min, CON = 45.7 ± 9.5 min) and at lower Trec (∼0.5 ± 0.5°C) and HR (∼10 ± 7 bpm) following PC. PC significantly lowered sweat rate (PC = 1.02 ± 0.31 L · h-1, CON = 1.22 ± 0.39 L · h-1), but did not affect RPE or CWI cooling rates (PC = 0.18 ± 0.14°C · min-1; CON = 0.19 ± 0.05°C · min-1). Thermal sensation significantly differed between conditions only at pre-exercise (PC = 3 ± 1, CON = 5 ± 0.5).DISCUSSION: PC delayed severe hyperthermia and mitigated dehydration without affecting thermal perception or cooling rates posthyperthermia. PC may help prevent dangerous hyperthermia in athletes.Wohlfert TM, Miller KC. Precooling, exertional heatstroke risk factors, and postexercise cooling rates. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2019; 90(1):12-17.
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Aerosp Med Hum Perform · Oct 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialA Randomized Controlled Trial of Core Strengthening Exercises in Helicopter Crewmembers with Low Back Pain.
The purpose of this study was to determine if five core strengthening exercises would decrease pain severity and related disability in U.S. Air Force helicopter aircrew members with low back pain. ⋯ Core strengthening exercises were effective in reducing in-flight pain and led to a reduction in pain symptoms and disability over the 12-wk study period as compared to those subjects who maintained their regular exercise regimen.
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Aerosp Med Hum Perform · Apr 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialA novel rescue-tube device for in-water resuscitation.
In-water resuscitation (IWR) is recommended in the 2010 guidelines of the European Resuscitation Council. As IWR represents a physical challenge to the rescuer, a novel Rescue Tube device with an integrated "Oxylator" resuscitator might facilitate IWR. The aim of the present study was the assessment of IWR using the novel Rescue Tube device. ⋯ The device might facilitate IWR by providing effective ventilation with minimal aspiration and by reducing physical effort. Another advantage is the possibility of delivering 100% oxygen.
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Aerosp Med Hum Perform · Apr 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialOxygen requirement to reverse altitude-induced hypoxemia with continuous flow and pulsed dose oxygen.
Hypoxemia secondary to reduced barometric pressure is a complication of ascent to altitude. We designed a study to compare the reversal of hypobaric hypoxemia at 14,000 ft with continuous flow oxygen from a cylinder and pulsed dose oxygen from a portable concentrator. ⋯ Portable oxygen concentrators using pulsed dose technology corrected hypoxemia in every subject. Oxygen concentrators may be an alternative to liquid oxygen or cylinders for use during aeromedical evacuation.