Physiological tolerance to uncompensated heat stress in soldiers: effects of various types of body cooling systems.

Background/aim: In military services, emergency situations when soldiers are exposed to a combination of nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) contamination combined with heat stress, are frequent and complex. In these specific conditions, usage of personal body cooling systems may be effective in reducing heat stress. The present study was conducted in order to evaluate the efficiency of four various types of contemporary personal body cooling systems based on the "Phase Change Material" (PCM), and its effects on soldiers' subjective comfort and physiological performance during exertional heat stress in hot environments.

The effects of acclimatization on blood clotting parameters in exertional heat stress.

Background/aim: Exertional heat stress is a common problem in military services. Considering the coagulation abnormalities are of major importance in development of severe heat stroke, we wanted to examine changes in hemostatic parameters in soldiers during exertional heat stress test as well as the effects of a 10-day passive or active acclimatization in a climatic chamber.

Methods: A total of 40 male soldiers with high aerobic capacity performed exertional heat stress test (EHST) either in cool [20 degrees C, 16 degrees C wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT)], or hot (40 degrees C, 29 degrees C, (WBGT) environment, unacclimatized (U) or after 10 days of passive (P) or active (A) acclimatization.

Metabolic syndrome and carotid artery intima-media thickness in military pilots.

Background: The common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCAIMT) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events and diabetes mellitus in apparently healthy men. The relationship between features of metabolic syndrome (MS) and CCAIMT is not fully understood. We conducted this study to assess the cross-sectional relationship between CCAIMT and MS parameters in military pilots during their regular annual medical physical examinations.

[The influence of sepsis as a complication after trauma on immune response to injury].

Introduction: Mortality rate in trauma complicated with sepsis is exceeding 50%. Outcome is not determined only by infection or trauma, but also by the intensity of immuno-inflammatory response.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of sepsis on the immuno-inflammatory response, in the group of 35 traumatized men, of which in 25 cases trauma was complicated with sepsis.

[Effect of acclimation on changes in water and electrolyte homeostasis in soldiers during exertional heat stress].

Background/aim: Exertional heat stress is a common problem in military services. The aim of this study was to exemine changes in body water and serum concentrations of some electrolites in soldiers during exertional heat stress (EHST), as well as effects of 10-day passive or active acclimation in a climatic chamber.

Methods: Forty male soldiers with high aerobic capacity, performed EHST either in cool (20 degrees C, 16 degrees C WBGT-wet bulb globe temperature), or hot (40 degrees C, 25 degrees C WBGT) environment, unacclimatized, or after 10 days of passive or active acclimation.

Effects of acclimation on cognitive performance in soldiers during exertional heat stress.

This study investigates the effects of exertional heat stress and acclimation status on physiological and cognitive performance. Forty male soldiers performed an exertional heat stress test (EHST) either in a cool (20 degrees C, 16 degrees C wet bulb globe temperature), or in a hot environment (40 degrees C, 29 degrees C wet bulb globe temperature), unacclimatized, or after 10 days of passive or active acclimation. Mean skin and tympanic (Tty) temperatures and heart rates (HR) measured physiological strain.