Physical performance and energy expenditures in military wearing bulletproof vest during submaximal exercises

Relevance. In servicemen, performance degradation is observed during extreme activities with increased energy expenditures. It is necessary to establish a contribution of body armor to military labor characteristics. Intention. To evaluate the physical performance and energy expenditure of the military men when using body armor during submaximal exercises. Methods. 10 military men were examined - apparently healthy men aged (31 ± 2) years, mean height (176.1 ± 1.5) cm, body weight (73.2 ± 2.5) kg, body mass index (23.6 ± 0.5) kg/m2, wearing sports and casual uniforms and body armor of the second generation battle suit. Physical exercise was simulated by running on the treadmill T-2100 (General Electric, Germany). Continuous load was used with step-like power increase until refusal from exercise due to physical fatigue. Results and discussion. According to the study results, a body armour as part of the equipment is associated with reduced amount of work performed, as well as increased energy expenditures and load on the cardiovascular system in military personnel. The information value of blood lactate as one of the markers for modeling the dosed fatigue has been shown. It has been found that the weight of the body armor influences significantly not only duration of the training and combat tasks but also the functional state of the body. Conceptual approaches and promising areas to improve ergonomic, medical and technical characteristics of body armor were described, as well as their contribution to health maintenance and performance (combat capability) improvement when performing training and combat tasks in emergency situations. Conclusion. It is necessary to improve the ergonomic characteristics of the body armor, to reduce weight via novel protective materials, and, last but not least, to improve the physical fitness and endurance of the military personnel.

чрезвычайная ситуация, военная медицина, средства индивидуальной бронезащиты, физическая работоспособность, энерготраты, emergency, military medicine, military personnel, individual protection means, bulletproof vest, physical efficiency, energy expenditure

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