David W. DeGroot

A simple and valid method to determine thermoregulatory sweating threshold and sensitivity

Sweating threshold temperature and sweating sensitivity responses are measured to evaluate thermoregulatory control. However, analytic approaches vary, and no standardized methodology has been validated. This study validated a simple and standardized method, segmented linear regression (SReg), for determination of sweating threshold temperature and sensitivity. Archived data were extracted for analysis from studies in which local arm sweat rate (m(sw); ventilated dew-point temperature sensor) and esophageal temperature (T(es)) were measured under a variety of conditions. The relationship m(sw)/T(es) from 16 experiments was analyzed by seven experienced raters (Rater), using a variety of empirical methods, and compared against SReg for the determination of sweating threshold temperature and sweating sensitivity values. Individual interrater differences (n = 324 comparisons) and differences between Rater and SReg (n = 110 comparisons) were evaluated within the context of biologically important limits of magnitude (LOM) via a modified Bland-Altman approach. The average Rater and SReg outputs for threshold temperature and sensitivity were compared (n = 16) using inferential statistics. Rater employed a very diverse set of criteria to determine the sweating threshold temperature and sweating sensitivity for the 16 data sets, but interrater differences were within the LOM for 95% (threshold) and 73% (sensitivity) of observations, respectively. Differences between mean Rater and SReg were within the LOM 90% (threshold) and 83% (sensitivity) of the time, respectively. Rater and SReg were not different by conventional t-test (P > 0.05). SReg provides a simple, valid, and standardized way to determine sweating threshold temperature and sweating sensitivity values for thermoregulatory studies.

Validity of Self-Reported Physical Fitness and Body Mass Index in a Military Population.

Abstract Martin, RC, Grier, T, Canham-Chervak, M, Anderson, MK, Bushman, TT, DeGroot, DW, and Jones, BH. Validity of self-reported physical fitness and body mass index in a military population. J Strength Cond Res 30(1): 26–32, 2016—Many epidemiological studies rely on valid physical fitness data. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the validity of self-reported Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) data and determine whether men and women recall APFT performance differently. U.S. Army soldiers (N = 1,047) completed a survey, including questions on height, weight, and most recent APFT performance. Height, weight, and APFT performance were also obtained from unit records. The mean ± SDs for unit and self-reported push-up repetitions were 63.5 ± 13.1 and 66.3 ± 14.0 for men and 37.7 ± 12.8 and 40.2 ± 12.8 for women, respectively. The mean ± SD for unit- and self-reported sit-up repetitions were 66.3 ± 11.4 and 68.1 ± 12.1 for men and 64.2 ± 13.6 and 66.5 ± 12.9 for women, respectively. The mean ± SD unit- and self-reported 2-mile run times were 15.2 ± 1.8 and 14.9 ± 1.6 minutes for men, and 18.0 ± 2.9 and 17.4 ± 1.9 minutes for women, respectively. Unit- and self-reported body mass indices (BMIs) (calculated by height and weight) were 26.4 ± 3.4 and 26.3 ± 3.6 for men and 24.6 ± 2.8 and 24.2 ± 3.3 for women. Correlations between unit- and self-reported scores for push-ups, sit-ups, 2-mile run, height, weight, and BMI were 0.82, 0.78, 0.85, 0.87, 0.97, and 0.88 for men and 0.86, 0.84, 0.87, 0.78, 0.98, and 0.78 for women, respectively. On average, men and women slightly overreported performance on the APFT and overestimated height, resulting in underestimated BMI. There was no difference in recall ability between men and women (p > 0.05). The very good to excellent correlations (r = 0.78–0.98) between unit- and self-reported scores indicate that self-reported data are valid for capturing physical fitness performance in this population.

Fitness tests and occupational tasks of military interest: a systematic review of correlations

Physically demanding occupations (ie, military, firefighter, law enforcement) often use fitness tests for job selection or retention. Despite numerous individual studies, the relationship of these tests to job performance is not always clear. This review examined the relationship by aggregating previously reported correlations between different fitness tests and common occupational tasks. Search criteria were applied to PUBMED, EBSCO, EMBASE and military sources; scoring yielded 27 original studies providing 533 Pearson correlation coefficients (r) between fitness tests and 12 common physical job task categories. Fitness tests were grouped into predominant health-related fitness components and body regions: cardiorespiratory endurance (CRe); upper body, lower body and trunk muscular strength and muscular endurance (UBs, LBs, TRs, UBe, LBe, TRe) and flexibility (FLX). Meta-analyses provided pooled rs between each fitness component and task category. The CRe tests had the strongest pooled correlations with most tasks (eight pooled r values 0.80–0.52). Next were LBs (six pooled r values >0.50) and UBe (four pooled r values >0.50). UBs and LBe correlated strongly to three tasks. TRs, TRe and FLX did not strongly correlate to tasks. Employers can maximise the relevancy of assessing workforce health by using fitness tests with strong correlations between fitness components and job performance, especially those that are also indicators for injury risk. Potentially useful field-expedient tests include timed-runs (CRe), jump tests (LBs) and push-ups (UBe). Impacts of gender and physiological characteristics (eg, lean body mass) should be considered in future study and when implementing tests.

Impact of Arm Immersion Cooling During Ranger Training on Exertional Heat Illness and Treatment Costs

UNLABELLED Ranger training includes strenuous physical activities and despite heat mitigations strategies, numerous cases of serious exertional heat illness (EHI) occur. We developed an Arm Immersion Cooling (AIC) system that is not logistically burdensome and may be easily employed in training environments. PURPOSE To examine the effect of AIC on EHI incidence, severity, and treatment costs during Ranger School. METHODS The training program was standardized for physical exertion and heat stress factors throughout the study period. AIC was employed summer months of 2010-2012 (n = 3,930 Soldiers) and Control (CON; n = 6,650 Soldiers) data were obtained for summer months of 2007-2009. Descriptive characteristics of all EHI casualties were obtained, including hospitalization status (treated and released [Treat], evacuated [Evac] or admitted [Admit] to the hospital), which served as proxy indicator of illness/injury severity. Medical cost savings were calculated from hospital records. RESULTS Incidence rates were not different (CON 4.06 vs. AIC 4.00/1,000 person-days). Treat increased during AIC (18.43 vs. 4.84/1,000 person-days) accompanied by marked but non-significant decreases in Evac and Admit rates. AIC use was associated with a medical cost savings of

Thermal response to running across the Sahara desert: data for three men.

1,719 per casualty. CONCLUSIONS AIC implementation during strenuous physical training in summer months can reduce EHI severity and associated medical treatment costs.

Impaired defense of core temperature in aged humans during mild cold stress

BACKGROUND There are limited data concerning the physiological responses to long-duration exercise collected under field conditions, and less data under harsh environmental conditions. This paper describes select environmental conditions and physiological responses of three runners attempting to run across the entire Sahara desert over a 111-d period. METHODS The runners started in Saint-Louis, Senegal, and we collected data on 2 d at the start of the expedition. Core temperature was measured via telemetry pill (Tpill), heart rate via Polar monitor, and metabolic rate (M) was estimated from two equations. The Pandolf equation uses movement speed and grade while Berglunds equation predicts M from heart rate and dry-bulb temperature. Data are presented as mean +/- SD (range). RESULTS The runners intermittently ran 8.0 km x h(-1) over 6 h during Night (warm-humid) conditions and 6.9 km x h(-1) over 7 h 40 min during Day (hot-dry) desert conditions. Mean Tpill was similar for both days (37.8 +/- 10.34 vs. 37.82 +/- 0.50 degrees C) while range was greater during the day (Day: 36.69-38.91 vs. Night: 37.11-38.48 degrees C). Heart rate was 128 +/- 16 (72-156) and 119 +/- 17 (75-147) bpm for Night and Day, respectively. Mmean was 299 +/- 66 (65-418) W x m(-2) and 364 +/- 117 (58-542) W x m(-2) during Night and 239 +/- 60 (67-356) and 244 +/- 139 (54-464) W x m(-2) during Day, estimated by Berglund and Pandolf, respectively. CONCLUSIONS During Day, the athletes ran slower than during Night, though Tpill was similar, indicative of the greater environmental strain. Mean predicted M was similar between equations, though maximum and minimal values were more extreme and rate-of-change dynamics faster according to Pandolfs equation.