title: Evaluation of 2 Heat-Mitigation Methods in Army Trainees.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Heat injury is a significant threat to military trainees. Different methods of heat mitigation are in use across military units. Mist fans are 1 of several methods used in the hot and humid climate of Fort Benning, Georgia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine if (1) the mist fan or the cooling towel effectively lowered participant core temperature in the humid environment found at Fort Benning and (2) the mist fan or the cooling towel presented additional physiologic or safety benefits or detriments when used in this environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laboratory environmental chamber.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five physically active men aged 19 to 35 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  (1) Mist fan, (2) commercial cooling towel, (3) passive-cooling (no intervention) control. All treatments lasted 20 minutes. Participants ran on a treadmill at 60% V̇o2max.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rectal core temperature, heart rate, thermal comfort, perceived temperature, perceived wetness, and blood pressure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average core temperature increased during 20 minutes of cooling (F1,28= 64.76, P < .001, ηp2= 0.70), regardless of group (F1,28= 3.41, P = .08, ηp2= 0.11) or condition (F1,28< 1.0). Core temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure did not differ among the 3 conditions. Perceived temperature during 20 minutes of cooling decreased (F1,30= 141.19, P < .001, ηp2= 0.83) regardless of group or condition. Perceived temperature was lower with the mist-fan treatment than with the control treatment (F1,15= 7.38, P = .02, ηp2= 0.32). The mist-fan group perceived themselves to be cooler even at elevated core temperatures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mist fan and cooling towel were both ineffective at lowering core temperature. Core temperature continued to increase after exercise in all groups. The mist fan produced feelings of coolness while the core temperature remained elevated, possibly increasing the risk of heat illness.
authors.affiliation: Warrior Research Center, School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, AL.
authors.forename: JoEllen M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sefton
authors.affiliation: Warrior Research Center, School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, AL.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: McAdam
authors.affiliation: Warrior Research Center, School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, AL.
authors.forename: David D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Pascoe
authors.affiliation: Warrior Research Center, School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, AL.
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Lohse
authors.affiliation: Department of the Army, Fort Stewart, GA.
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Banda
authors.affiliation: Warrior Research Center, School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, AL.
authors.forename: Corbin B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Henault
authors.affiliation: Warrior Research Center, School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, AL.
authors.forename: Andrew R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Cherrington
authors.affiliation: Warrior Research Center, School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, AL.
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Adams
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D018883:Heat Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: environmental conditions; heat illnesses; injury prevention; military