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Haman F, Souza SCS, Castellani JW, Dupuis MP, Friedl KE, Sullivan-Kwantes W, Kingma BRM. Human vulnerability and variability in the cold: Establishing individual risks for cold weather injuries. Temperature (Austin) 2022; 9:158-195. [PMID: 36106152 PMCID: PMC9467591 DOI: 10.1080/23328940.2022.2044740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Human tolerance to cold environments is extremely limited and responses between individuals is highly variable. Such physiological and morphological predispositions place them at high risk of developing cold weather injuries [CWI; including hypothermia and/or non-freezing (NFCI) and freezing cold injuries (FCI)]. The present manuscript highlights current knowledge on the vulnerability and variability of human cold responses and associated risks of developing CWI. This review 1) defines and categorizes cold stress and CWI, 2) presents cold defense mechanisms including biological adaptations, acute responses and acclimatization/acclimation and, 3) proposes mitigation strategies for CWI. This body of evidence clearly indicates that all humans are at risk of developing CWI without adequate knowledge and protective equipment. In addition, we show that while body mass plays a key role in mitigating risks of hypothermia between individuals and populations, NFCI and FCI depend mainly on changes in peripheral blood flow and associated decrease in skin temperature. Clearly, understanding the large interindividual variability in morphology, insulation, and metabolism is essential to reduce potential risks for CWI between and within populations.
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Potter AW, Tharion WJ, Holden LD, Pazmino A, Looney DP, Friedl KE. Circumference-Based Predictions of Body Fat Revisited: Preliminary Results From a US Marine Corps Body Composition Survey. Front Physiol 2022; 13:868627. [PMID: 35432005 PMCID: PMC9008774 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.868627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Body composition assessment methods are dependent on their underlying principles, and assumptions of each method may be affected by age and sex. This study compared an abdominal circumference-focused method of percent body fat estimation (AC %BF) to a criterion method of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and a comparative assessment with bioelectrical impedance (BIA), in younger (≤30 years) and older (>age 30 years) physically fit (meeting/exceeding annual US Marine Corps fitness testing requirements) men and women. Methods: Fit healthy US Marines (430 men, 179 women; 18–57 years) were assessed for body composition by DXA (iDXA, GE Lunar), anthropometry, and BIA (Quantum IV, RJL Systems). Results: Compared to DXA %BF, male AC %BF underestimated for both ≤30 and >30 years age groups (bias, -2.6 ± 3.7 and -2.5 ± 3.7%); while female AC %BF overestimated for both ≤30 and >30 years age groups (2.3 ± 4.3 and 1.3 ± 4.8%). On an individual basis, lean men and women were overestimated and higher %BF individuals were underestimated. Predictions from BIA were more accurate and reflected less relationship to adiposity for each age and sex group (males: ≤30, 0.4 ± 3.2, >30 years, -0.5 ± 3.5; women: ≤30, 1.4 ± 3.1, >30 years, 0.0 ± 3.3). Total body water (hydration) and bone mineral content (BMC) as a proportion of fat-free mass (FFM) remained consistent across the age range; however, women had a higher proportion of %BMC/FFM than men. Older men and women (>age 30 years) were larger and carried more fat but had similar FFM compared to younger men and women. Conclusion: The AC %BF provides a field expedient method for the US Marine Corps to classify individuals for obesity prevention, but does not provide research-grade quantitative body composition data.
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Looney DP, Santee WR, Potter AW, Bonventre PJ, Pryor JL, Friedl KE. Correcting field measurements in outdoor walking research. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2022; 132:313-314. [DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00797.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Looney DP, Lavoie EM, Vangala SV, Holden LD, Figueiredo PS, Friedl KE, Frykman PN, Hancock JW, Montain SJ, Pryor JL, Santee WR, Potter AW. Modeling the Metabolic Costs of Heavy Military Backpacking. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2021; 54:646-654. [PMID: 34856578 PMCID: PMC8919998 DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000002833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Existing predictive equations underestimate the metabolic costs of heavy military load carriage. Metabolic costs are specific to each type of military equipment, and backpack loads often impose the most sustained burden on the dismounted warfighter. Purpose This study aimed to develop and validate an equation for estimating metabolic rates during heavy backpacking for the US Army Load Carriage Decision Aid (LCDA), an integrated software mission planning tool. Methods Thirty healthy, active military-age adults (3 women, 27 men; age, 25 ± 7 yr; height, 1.74 ± 0.07 m; body mass, 77 ± 15 kg) walked for 6–21 min while carrying backpacks loaded up to 66% body mass at speeds between 0.45 and 1.97 m·s−1. A new predictive model, the LCDA backpacking equation, was developed on metabolic rate data calculated from indirect calorimetry. Model estimation performance was evaluated internally by k-fold cross-validation and externally against seven historical reference data sets. We tested if the 90% confidence interval of the mean paired difference was within equivalence limits equal to 10% of the measured metabolic rate. Estimation accuracy and level of agreement were also evaluated by the bias and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), respectively. Results Estimates from the LCDA backpacking equation were statistically equivalent (P < 0.01) to metabolic rates measured in the current study (bias, −0.01 ± 0.62 W·kg−1; CCC, 0.965) and from the seven independent data sets (bias, −0.08 ± 0.59 W·kg−1; CCC, 0.926). Conclusions The newly derived LCDA backpacking equation provides close estimates of steady-state metabolic energy expenditure during heavy load carriage. These advances enable further optimization of thermal-work strain monitoring, sports nutrition, and hydration strategies.
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Billing DC, Fordy GR, Friedl KE, Hasselstrøm H. The implications of emerging technology on military human performance research priorities. J Sci Med Sport 2021; 24:947-953. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2020.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Sullivan-Kwantes W, Haman F, Kingma BRM, Martini S, Gautier-Wong E, Chen KY, Friedl KE. Human performance research for military operations in extreme cold environments. J Sci Med Sport 2021; 24:954-962. [PMID: 33358087 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2020.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Soldier performance in the Arctic depends on planning and training, protective equipment, and human physiological limits. The purpose of this review was to highlight the span of current research on enhancing soldier effectiveness in extreme cold and austere environments. METHODS The practices of seasoned soldiers who train in the Arctic and cold-dwelling natives inform performance strategies. We provide examples of research and technology that build on these concepts. RESULTS Examples of current performance research include evaluation of equipment and tactics such as the bioenergetics of load carriage over snow in Norwegian exercises; Canadian field monitoring of hand temperatures and freezing cold injuries for better protection of manual dexterity; and Dutch predictive modeling of cold-wet work tolerances. Healthy young men can respond to cold with a substantial thermogenic response based on US and Canadian studies on brown adipose tissue and other mechanisms of non-shivering thermogenesis; the potential advantage of greater fat insulation is offset in obese unfit subjects by a smaller thermogenic response. Current physiological studies are addressing previously unanswered problems of cold acclimation procedures, thermogenic enhancement and regulation, and modulation of sympathetic activation, all of which may further enhance cold survival and expand the performance envelope. CONCLUSION There is an inseparable behavioral component to soldier performance in the Arctic, and even the best equipment does not benefit soldiers who have not trained in the actual environment. Training inexperienced soldiers to performance limits may be helped with personal monitoring technologies and predictive models.
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Gilgen-Ammann R, Roos L, Wyss T, Veenstra BJ, Delves SK, Beeler N, Buller MJ, Friedl KE. Validation of ambulatory monitoring devices to measure energy expenditure and heart rate in a military setting. Physiol Meas 2021; 42. [PMID: 34340217 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6579/ac19f9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Objectives.To investigate the validity of different devices and algorithms used in military organizations worldwide to assess physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) and heart rate (HR) among soldiers.Design.Device validation study.Methods. Twenty-three male participants serving their mandatory military service accomplished, firstly, nine different military specific activities indoors, and secondly, a normal military routine outdoors. Participants wore simultaneously an ActiHeart, Everion, MetaMax 3B, Garmin Fenix 3, Hidalgo EQ02, and PADIS 2.0 system. The PAEE and HR data of each system were compared to the criterion measures MetaMax 3B and Hidalgo EQ02, respectively.Results. Overall, the recorded systematic errors in PAEE estimation ranged from 0.1 (±1.8) kcal.min-1to -1.7 (±1.8) kcal.min-1for the systems PADIS 2.0 and Hidalgo EQ02 running the Royal Dutch Army algorithm, respectively, and in the HR assessment ranged from -0.1 (±2.1) b.min-1to 0.8 (±3.0) b.min-1for the PADIS 2.0 and ActiHeart systems, respectively. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) in PAEE estimation ranged from 29.9% to 75.1%, with only the Everion system showing an overall MAPE <30%, but all investigated devices reported overall MAPE <1.4% in the HR assessment.Conclusions. The present study demonstrated poor to moderate validity in terms of PAEE estimation, but excellent validity in all investigated devices in terms of HR assessment. Overall, the Everion performed among the best in both parameters and with a device placement on the upper arm, the Everion system is particularly useful during military service, as it does not interfere with other relevant equipment.
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Gan LSH, Fan PWP, Zhang J, Nolte HW, Friedl KE, Nindl BC, Lee JKW. Changes in energy balance, body composition, metabolic profile and physical performance in a 62-day Army Ranger training in a hot-humid environment. J Sci Med Sport 2021; 25:89-94. [PMID: 34507882 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2021.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the physiological effects of multiple stressors including energy deficit during a 62-day Ranger course in a hot-humid environment. DESIGN Prospective cohort design. METHODS Food intake data were collected daily and energy expenditure at each of the three phases of the course was estimated by the doubly-labeled water method. Anthropometry, hydration status, stress and metabolic hormones, handgrip strength and lower explosive power were measured at the start and at the end of each phase. RESULTS Seventeen male participants (age: 24.5 ± 3.2 years, height: 173.9 ± 5.1 cm, body mass: 69.3 ± 3.2 kg, BMI: 22.9 ± 0.9 kg/m2, percent body fat: 14 ± 5%) completed the study. Mean total daily energy expenditure was 4756 kcal/day and mean daily energy intake was 3882 kcal/day. An 18% energy deficit resulted in an average body mass loss of 4.6 kg, comprising mostly fat mass. Participants with higher baseline adiposity (>15% body fat) lost more fat mass and gained (rather than lost) muscle mass compared to those with lower baseline adiposity. Handgrip strength declined only at the end of Phase I, while lower body explosive power declined progressively throughout the course. Lean mass in arms and legs was correlated with initial grip strength and lower body explosive power, but only at the start of the course. CONCLUSIONS Physiologically demanding Ranger training in an equatorial environment is at least as metabolically demanding and stressful as other similar high-risk training courses, as demonstrated by the stress and metabolic endocrine responses, changes in body composition, and reduction in explosive power. Moreover, the smaller body size of Asian soldiers may confer an energetic advantage over larger sized Western counterparts.
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Williamson JR, Telfer B, Mullany R, Friedl KE. Detecting Parkinson's Disease from Wrist-Worn Accelerometry in the U.K. Biobank. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 21:2047. [PMID: 33799420 PMCID: PMC7999802 DOI: 10.3390/s21062047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic movement disorder that produces a variety of characteristic movement abnormalities. The ubiquity of wrist-worn accelerometry suggests a possible sensor modality for early detection of PD symptoms and subsequent tracking of PD symptom severity. As an initial proof of concept for this technological approach, we analyzed the U.K. Biobank data set, consisting of one week of wrist-worn accelerometry from a population with a PD primary diagnosis and an age-matched healthy control population. Measures of movement dispersion were extracted from automatically segmented gait data, and measures of movement dimensionality were extracted from automatically segmented low-movement data. Using machine learning classifiers applied to one week of data, PD was detected with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.69 on gait data, AUC = 0.84 on low-movement data, and AUC = 0.85 on a fusion of both activities. It was also found that classification accuracy steadily improved across the one-week data collection, suggesting that higher accuracy could be achievable from a longer data collection. These results suggest the viability of using a low-cost and easy-to-use activity sensor for detecting movement abnormalities due to PD and motivate further research on early PD detection and tracking of PD symptom severity.
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Telfer BA, Williamson JR, Weed L, Bursey M, Frazee R, Galer M, Moore C, Buller M, Friedl KE. Estimating Sedentary Breathing Rate from Chest-Worn Accelerometry From Free-Living Data. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2020; 2020:4636-4639. [PMID: 33019027 DOI: 10.1109/embc44109.2020.9175669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Breathing rate was estimated from chest-worn accelerometry collected from 1,522 servicemembers during training by a wearable physiological monitor. A total of 29,189 hours of training and sleep data were analyzed. The primary purpose of the monitor was to assess thermal-work strain and avoid heat injuries. The monitor design was thus not optimized to estimate breathing rate. Since breathing rate cannot be accurately estimated during periods of high activity, a qualifier was applied to identify sedentary time periods, totaling 8,867 hours. Breathing rate was estimated for a total of 4,179 hours, or 14% of the total collection and 47% of the sedentary total, primarily during periods of sleep. The breathing rate estimation method was compared to an FDA 510(K)-cleared criterion breathing rate sensor (Zephyr, Annapolis MD, USA) in a controlled laboratory experiment, which showed good agreement between the two techniques. Contributions of this paper are to: 1) provide the first analysis of accelerometry-derived breathing rate on free-living data including periods of high activity as well as sleep, along with a qualifier that effectively identifies sedentary periods appropriate for estimating breathing rate; 2) test breathing rate estimation on a data set with a total duration that is more than 60 times longer than that of the largest previously reported study, 3) test breathing rate estimation on data from a physiological monitor that has not been expressly designed for that purpose.
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Adans-Dester CP, Bamberg S, Bertacchi FP, Caulfield B, Chappie K, Demarchi D, Erb MK, Estrada J, Fabara EE, Freni M, Friedl KE, Ghaffari R, Gill G, Greenberg MS, Hoyt RW, Jovanov E, Kanzler CM, Katabi D, Kernan M, Kigin C, Lee SI, Leonhardt S, Lovell NH, Mantilla J, McCoy TH, Luo NM, Miller GA, Moore J, O'Keeffe D, Palmer J, Parisi F, Patel S, Po J, Pugliese BL, Quatieri T, Rahman T, Ramasarma N, Rogers JA, Ruiz-Esparza GU, Sapienza S, Schiurring G, Schwamm L, Shafiee H, Kelly Silacci S, Sims NM, Talkar T, Tharion WJ, Toombs JA, Uschnig C, Vergara-Diaz GP, Wacnik P, Wang MD, Welch J, Williamson L, Zafonte R, Zai A, Zhang YT, Tearney GJ, Ahmad R, Walt DR, Bonato P. Can mHealth Technology Help Mitigate the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic? IEEE OPEN JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1:243-248. [PMID: 34192282 PMCID: PMC8023427 DOI: 10.1109/ojemb.2020.3015141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Goal: The aim of the study herein reported was to review mobile health (mHealth) technologies and explore their use to monitor and mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A Task Force was assembled by recruiting individuals with expertise in electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes (ePRO), wearable sensors, and digital contact tracing technologies. Its members collected and discussed available information and summarized it in a series of reports. Results: The Task Force identified technologies that could be deployed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and would likely be suitable for future pandemics. Criteria for their evaluation were agreed upon and applied to these systems. Conclusions: mHealth technologies are viable options to monitor COVID-19 patients and be used to predict symptom escalation for earlier intervention. These technologies could also be utilized to monitor individuals who are presumed non-infected and enable prediction of exposure to SARS-CoV-2, thus facilitating the prioritization of diagnostic testing.
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Foulis SA, Hughes JM, Friedl KE. New Concerns About Military Recruits with Metabolic Obesity but Normal Weight ("Skinny Fat"). Obesity (Silver Spring) 2020; 28:223. [PMID: 31970904 DOI: 10.1002/oby.22724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Foulis SA, Hughes JM, Walker LA, Guerriere KI, Taylor KM, Proctor SP, Friedl KE. Changes in Body Composition during U.S. Army Basic Combat Training. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2019. [DOI: 10.1249/01.mss.0000561322.80713.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Looney DP, Long ET, Potter AW, Xu X, Friedl KE, Hoyt RW, Chalmers CR, Buller MJ, Florian JP. Divers risk accelerated fatigue and core temperature rise during fully-immersed exercise in warmer water temperature extremes. Temperature (Austin) 2019; 6:150-157. [PMID: 31312674 PMCID: PMC6620004 DOI: 10.1080/23328940.2019.1599182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Physiological responses to work in cold water have been well studied but little is known about the effects of exercise in warm water; an overlooked but critical issue for certain military, scientific, recreational, and professional diving operations. This investigation examined core temperature responses to fatiguing, fully-immersed exercise in extremely warm waters. Twenty-one male U.S. Navy divers (body mass, 87.3 ± 12.3 kg) were monitored during rest and fatiguing exercise while fully-immersed in four different water temperatures (Tw): 34.4, 35.8, 37.2, and 38.6°C (Tw34.4, Tw35.8, Tw37.2, and Tw38.6 respectively). Participants exercised on an underwater cycle ergometer until volitional fatigue or core temperature limits were reached. Core body temperature and heart rate were monitored continuously. Trial performance time decreased significantly as water temperature increased (Tw34.4, 174 ± 12 min; Tw35.8, 115 ± 13 min; Tw37.2, 50 ± 13 min; Tw38.6, 34 ± 14 min). Peak core body temperature during work was significantly lower in Tw34.4 water (38.31 ± 0.49°C) than in warmer temperatures (Tw35.8, 38.60 ± 0.55°C; Tw37.2, 38.82 ± 0.76°C; Tw38.6, 38.97 ± 0.65°C). Core body temperature rate of change increased significantly with warmer water temperature (Tw34.4, 0.39 ± 0.28°C·h−1; Tw35.8, 0.80 ± 0.19°C·h−1; Tw37.2, 2.02 ± 0.31°C·h−1; Tw38.6, 3.54 ± 0.41°C·h−1). Physically active divers risk severe hyperthermia in warmer waters. Increases in water temperature drastically increase the rate of core body temperature rise during work in warm water. New predictive models for core temperature based on workload and duration of warm water exposure are needed to ensure warm water diving safety.
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Friedl KE. Military applications of soldier physiological monitoring. J Sci Med Sport 2018; 21:1147-1153. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 03/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Sanderson PW, Clemes SA, Friedl KE, Biddle SJH. The association between obesity related health risk and fitness test results in the British Army personnel. J Sci Med Sport 2018; 21:1173-1177. [PMID: 30154041 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In the British Army, fitness is assessed by a load carriage test (Annual Fitness Test, AFT) and by a three event Personal Fitness Assessment (PFA). Body composition based on body mass index (BMI) and abdominal circumference (AC) is also part of a mandatory annual assessment. This study examined the influence of BMI and AC on fitness test results within a comprehensive sample of British Army personnel. DESIGN Secondary analyse were carried out on data obtained from the 2011 Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) database for 50,635 soldiers (47,173 men and 3,462 women). METHODS Comparisons using loglinear analysis were made between groups of individuals classified by body mass index as obese (≥30kg/m2) and not obese (<30kg/m2), and further classified using combined BMI and AC for obesity-related health risks to compare "no risk" with "increased risk." RESULTS Not obese or "no risk" soldiers had a significant relationship with success in the AFT (p<0.01) and PFA (p<0.01). Of those soldiers who attempted the AFT, 99% of men and 92% of women passed; for the PFA, 92% of men and 91% of women passed. Obese or "at risk" soldiers were more likely to fail and far less likely to take both tests (p<0.05). Compared to older obese soldiers, young obese soldiers were more likely to attempt the tests. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that BMI and AC are useful indicators of fitness test outcome in the British Army.
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Buller MJ, Welles AP, Friedl KE. Wearable physiological monitoring for human thermal-work strain optimization. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2018; 124:432-441. [DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00353.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Safe performance limits of soldiers and athletes have typically relied on predictive work-rest models of ambient conditions, average work intensity, and characteristics of the population. Bioengineering advances in noninvasive sensor technologies, including miniaturization, reduced cost, power requirements, and comfort, now make it possible to produce individual predictions of safe thermal-work limits. These precision medicine assessments depend on the development of thoughtful algorithms based on physics and physiology. Both physiological telemetry and thermal-strain indexes have been available for >50 years, but greater computing power and better wearable sensors now make it possible to provide actionable information at the individual level. Core temperature can be practically estimated from time series heart rate data and, using an adaptive physiological strain index, provides meaningful predictions of safe work limits that cannot be predicted from only core temperature or heart rate measurements. Early adopters of this technology include specialized occupations where individuals operate in complete encapsulation such as chemical protective suits. Emerging technologies that focus on heat flux measurements at the skin show even greater potential for estimating thermal-work strain using a parsimonious sensor set. Applications of these wearable technologies include many sports and military training venues where inexperienced individuals can learn effective work pacing strategies and train to safe personal limits. The same strategies can also provide a technologically based performance edge for experienced workers and athletes faced with novel and nonintuitive physiological challenges, such as health care providers in full protective clothing treating Ebola patients in West Africa in 2014. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This mini-review details how the application of computational techniques borrowed from signal processing and control theory can provide meaningful advances for the applied physiological problem of real-time thermal-work strain monitoring. The work examines the development of practical core body temperature estimation techniques and how these can be used in combination with current and updated thermal-work strain indexes to provide objective state assessments and to optimize work rest schedules for a given task.
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Sawka MN, Friedl KE. Emerging Wearable Physiological Monitoring Technologies and Decision Aids for Health and Performance. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2017; 124:430-431. [PMID: 29097633 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00964.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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Jones BH, Hauret KG, Dye SK, Hauschild VD, Rossi SP, Richardson MD, Friedl KE. Impact of physical fitness and body composition on injury risk among active young adults: A study of Army trainees. J Sci Med Sport 2017; 20 Suppl 4:S17-S22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2017.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Revised: 08/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Friedl KE. RE: Does host energy metabolism moderate disease resistance? J Infect 2017; 76:211-212. [PMID: 28970043 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2017.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2017] [Revised: 09/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Santee WR, Potter AW, Friedl KE. Talk to the Hand: U.S. Army Biophysical Testing. Mil Med 2017; 182:e1702-e1705. [PMID: 28810960 DOI: 10.7205/milmed-d-16-00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many people are unaware of the science underlying the biophysical properties of Soldier clothing and personal protective equipment, yet there is a well-refined biomedical methodology initiated by Army physiologists in World War II. This involves a methodical progression of systematic material testing technologies, computer modeling, and human testing that enables more efficient development and rapid evaluation of new concepts for Soldier health and performance. Sophisticated manikins that sweat and move are a central part of this testing continuum. This report briefly summarizes the evolution and use of one specialized form of the manikin technologies, the thermal hand model, and its use in research on Soldier hand-wear items that sustain dexterity and protect the hand in extreme environments. METHODS Thermal manikin testing methodologies were developed to provide an efficient and consistent analytical tool for the rapid evaluation of new clothing concepts. These methods have been upgraded since the original World War II and Korean War eras to include articulation and sweating capabilities, as characterized and illustrated in this article. The earlier "retired" versions of thermal hand models have now been transferred to the National Museum of Health and Science. FINDINGS The biophysical values from manikin testing are critical inputs to the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine mathematical models that provide predictions of soldier comfort, duration of exposure before loss of manual dexterity, and time to significant risk of freezing (skin temperature <-1°C) and nonfreezing cold injuries (skin temperature <5°C). The greater thickness of better insulated handwear reduces dexterity and also increases surface area which makes added insulation increasingly less effective in retaining heat. Measurements of both thermal resistance (insulation) and evaporative resistance (permeability) collectively characterize the biophysical properties and enable mathematical modeling of the human thermophysiological responses. This information can help guide the hand-wear development and selection process which often requires trade-offs between factors such as material, cost, and sizing. IMPACT Soldier hands provide fine motor dexterity in tactical functions, ranging from pulling a trigger to pulling a parachute ripcord; thus, protecting hand function is critical to soldier readiness. Also, the importance of protection against nonbattle cold injuries was highlighted during World War II in northern Europe, in the Aleutian Islands, and later in Korea. The U.S. Army has been on the forefront of the biophysical analysis of clothing including gloves since environmental research was established at the Armored Medical Research Laboratory and Climatic Research Laboratory during World War II. U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine does not make the equipment but works with their Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center partners to make the equipment better.
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Friedl KE, Breivik TJ, Carter R, Leyk D, Opstad PK, Taverniers J, Trousselard M. Soldier Health Habits and the Metabolically Optimized Brain. Mil Med 2016; 181:e1499-e1507. [DOI: 10.7205/milmed-d-15-00464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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Friedl KE, Hubbard VS. What can we learn from critical periods of weight gain in military personnel? Obesity (Silver Spring) 2016; 24:1408-9. [PMID: 27345960 DOI: 10.1002/oby.21546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Friedl KE, Knapik JJ, Häkkinen K, Baumgartner N, Groeller H, Taylor NA, Duarte AF, Kyröläinen H, Jones BH, Kraemer WJ, Nindl BC. Perspectives on Aerobic and Strength Influences on Military Physical Readiness. J Strength Cond Res 2015; 29 Suppl 11:S10-23. [DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000001025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Klucken J, Friedl KE, Eskofier BM, Hausdorff JM. Guest Editorial: Enabling Technologies for Parkinson's Disease Management. IEEE J Biomed Health Inform 2015; 19:1775-1776. [PMID: 26866073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
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