Predicting Responses to Exhaustive, Prolonged and Repeated Exercise Demands (PREPARED) for Heat

Principal Investigator: Riana Pryor, PhD, ATC

Funding Source: Department of Defense

Abstract: In emergency situations, the military can be tasked with missions that go against the Army’s recommended work/rest guidance for hot environments. These periods of increased work and/or reduced rest cause greater risk of heat illnesses and reduce performance, both of which could put the missions in jeopardy. Yet, the impact of work/rest cycles of marching in a hot environment on how hot someone becomes, and muscle fatigue is unknown. The overall goal of this project is to identify a work/rest cycle that allows for faster performance needed in emergency situations than current Army heat guidance, while limiting how hot and fatigued someone becomes. Completion of this project will allow military leaders to make informed decisions by understanding the impact of their choices on performance and expected heat illnesses, setting up hot weather missions for success.