Evaluating the Physiological Strain Induced by a BC Membrane Protective Garment Under Exercise-heat Stress Compared to a Protective Coverall

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Israel ministry of defense is examining a new BC membrane protective garment of BLAUER company constructed with GORE CHEMPAK fabric for the border guard of the police forces. The goal of this research is to perform a comparative experiment in order to evaluate the physiological strain induced by the new protective garment under exercise-heat stress conditions, compared to protective garment in current use.

Detailed Description
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In order to physiologically evaluate a new BC membrane protective garment for the Israeli police use under exercise-heat stress conditions, 12 healthy volunteers from the border guard will participate in this study. The subjects will undergo 4 experiment days: Recruitment day, one day of acclimatization to heat, and 2 days of performing experiment protocol, each day dressed with different protective garment (Protective garment in current use + NBC mask, new BC membrane protective garment + NBC mask). Core (rectal) and skin temperature and heart rate will be monitored continuously, liquid balance will be recorded.the physiological heat strain will be assessed and compared between the different protective garments.

Official Title
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Evaluating the Physiological Strain Induced by a BC Membrane Protective Garment Under Exercise-heat Stress Compared to a Protective Coverall

Conditions
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Physiological Stress

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: exercise under hot and humid conditions protocol
* Device: BC membrane protective garment
* Device: NBC mask


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Aged 18-40 years. Healthy civilian volunteers. Without known medical illness or medication use. Exclusion Criteria: The existence or suspicion of existing cardiac or respiratory disease. Hypertension. Diabetes. Psychiatric condition. Any muscles or skeleton condition. Any hormonal disease or any other chronic illness that may inhibit participation in the experiment. Infectious disease 3 days prior to the experiment.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: research arm<br>12 healthy volunteers from the border guard of the police forces will participate in this study. The subjects will undergo 4 experiment days: Recruitment , medical examination and VO2max test. Acclimatization day by performing moderate exercise protocol under hot and humid climate. 3.2 days of performing moderate exercise under hot and humid conditions protocol, each day dressed with different protective garment: Protective garment in current use + NBC mask. The new BC membrane protective garment + NBC mask | Other: exercise under hot and humid conditions protocol<br>* acclimatization day protocol: 2 hour effort performed in a climatic chamber, which include walk on a treadmill at 5 Km/h on a 2% incline under heat conditions (40 deg. centigrade & 40% RH) Core (rectal) and skin temperature and heart rate will be monitored continuously experiment days (2 days): 2 hour effort (2 cycles of: 50 min walk and 10 min rest-sitting) performed in a climatic chamber, which include walk on a treadmill at 5 Km/h on a 2% incline under heat conditions (35 deg. centigrade & 60% RH) Core (rectal) and skin temperature and heart rate will be monitored continuously.<br>Device: BC membrane protective garment<br> <br> Device: NBC mask<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| physiological strain (composite) | The physiological strain will be determined by body core temperature and heart rate of the subjects during experiment days with protocol of exercise under heat stress conditions. | 3 days for each participant | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rectal temperature | The rectal temperature will be monitored by a rectal thermistor (YSI-401) inserted 10 cm past the anal sphincter. | 3 days for each participant | 
| Skin temperature | The skin temperature will be monitored by skin thermistors located at 3 sites (chest, arm and leg). | 3 days for each participant | 
| Heart rate | The heart rate will be monitored using a wearable heart rate monitor (Polar® sensor and heart rate monitor watch). | 4 days for each participant | 
| Sweat rate (composite) | Sweat rate will be calculated from the patients' body weight and fluid balance. | 3 days for each participant |