A canine thermal model for simulating temperature responses of military working dogs.

Military working dogs (MWDs) are often required to operate in dangerous or extreme environments, to include hot and humid climate conditions. These scenarios can put MWD at significant risk of heat injury. To address this concern, a two-compartment (core, skin) rational thermophysiological model was developed to predict the temperature of a MWD during rest, exercise, and recovery.

Predicting recovery from exertional heat strain in military working dogs.

A two-compartment (core, skin) rational Canine Thermal Model (CTM) of thermal-physiological responses was developed to predict the core temperature (Tc) of a military working dog (MWD) during recovery from exertional heat stress. Heat storage is represented as the balance among heat loss mechanisms, heat gain from the environment, and heat production from metabolism. Inputs to the CTM include environmental conditions (ambient temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation and wind speed), physical characteristics of the dog (weight, length), and metabolic rate.

Thermoregulatory modeling use and application in the military workforce.

Thermoregulatory models have been used in the military to quantify probabilities of individuals' thermal-related illness/injury. The uses of the models have diversified over the past decade. This paper revisits an overall view of selected thermoregulatory models used in the U.

Applications of real-time thermoregulatory models to occupational heat stress: validation with military and civilian field studies.

A real-time thermoregulatory model using noninvasive measurements as inputs was developed for predicting physiological responses of individuals working long hours. The purpose of the model is to reduce heat-related injuries and illness by predicting the physiological effects of thermal stress on individuals while working. The model was originally validated mainly by using data from controlled laboratory studies.

Methods of evaluating protective clothing relative to heat and cold stress: thermal manikin, biomedical modeling, and human testing.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to clothing and equipment designed to protect individuals from chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive hazards. The materials used to provide this protection may exacerbate thermal strain by limiting heat and water vapor transfer. Any new PPE must therefore be evaluated to ensure that it poses no greater thermal strain than the current standard for the same level of hazard protection.

Female anthropometric variability and their effects on predicted thermoregulatory responses to work in the heat.

The use of thermoregulatory models for assessing physiological responses of workers in thermally stressful situations has been increasing because of the risks and costs related to human studies. In a previous study (Yokota et al. Eur J Appl Physiol 104:297-302, 2008), the effects of anthropometric variability on predicted physiological responses to heat stress in U.

Thermoregulatory model to predict physiological status from ambient environment and heart rate.

A real-time thermoregulatory model was developed for predicting real-time physiological responses of workers engaged in various tasks for prolonged time. The unique feature of the present model is primarily on metabolic activity inputs derived from minimum non-invasive measures (i.e.

Assessment of male anthropometric trends and the effects on simulated heat stress responses.

Assessing temporal changes in anthropometrics and body composition of US Army soldiers is important because these changes may affect fitness, performance, and safety. This study investigated differences in body dimensions (height, weight, percent body fat (%BF)) of US Army male soldiers by comparing 2004 and 1988 databases. Anthropometric somatotypes were identified and physiological responses of the different somatotypes to simulated heat stress (35 degrees C/50%rh, approximately 550 W work rate, carrying 12 kg load including battle dress uniform and body armor, rest for 30 min and walk for 70 min) using a thermal regulatory model were evaluated.

Modeling physiological responses to military scenarios: initial core temperature and downhill work.

Introduction: Previous field studies suggested that a thermoregulatory model developed by the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) needed an adjustment of initial core temperature (Tcr) for individual variation and a metabolic (M) correction during downhill movements.

Model of human thermoregulation for intermittent regional cooling.

Introduction: A prospective approach to save energy expenditure for a liquid cooling garment (LCG) system is to provide intermittent regional cooling (IRC) to the human body instead of continuous cooling. In order to gain insight into IRC mechanisms, a mathematical model was developed to simulate thermal interaction between the human and IRC.

Methods: Human thermoregulatory responses were simulated by a previously validated six-cylinder mathematical model.