Fatigue; Heat

The goal of this project is to compare different ways to schedule a workday to see if older workers should follow a specific work protocol to reduce strain on the heart and muscles across two consecutive days of work. Participants will come to the lab a total of six times. During four of the visits participants will complete a box carrying task, simulating unloading a delivery truck. This will take place in a hot and humid room to simulate being outdoors during the summer.

The goal of this project is to compare different ways to schedule a workday to see if older workers should follow a specific work protocol to reduce strain on the heart and muscles. Participants will come to the lab a total of six times. During four of the visits participants will complete a box carrying task, simulating unloading a delivery truck. This will take place in a hot and humid room to simulate being outdoors during the summer.

The overall goal of this project is to identify a work/rest cycle that allows for faster mission completion needed in emergency situations, compared to current Army heat guidance, while mitigating heat strain and neuromuscular fatigue. This project will determine the trade-off between faster mission completion and risk of heat strain and physical performance decrements. Completion of this project will allow military leaders to make informed decisions by understanding the impact of their choices on the magnitude of physical performance decrements and expected heat casualties, setting up hot weather missions for success.