Analysis for Phase 4 and 5 Sustained Operations Studies and Development of a LoadCarriage Performance Analysis Model. Subtitle: The Effect of Chemical Defense Measures of Sustained Military Operations

摘要

Maintenance and/or enhancement of performance during sustained operations(SUSOPS) is of vital concern to all military services, and if possible may contribute to the successful outcome of conflicts. Adding the contingency of an NBC defensive posture in hot environments during SUSOPS significantly increases logistics, tactical and medical requirements. The purpose of this work unit was to quantify Marine Corps combatant cognitive and physical performance changes as a function of sustained mental and physical work with drug (antihistamines), sleep loss and Individual Protective Ensembles (IPE) as measured by the Tri-Service Cognitive and Physiological Performance Assessment Batteries (PABs). A series of studies deliniated into five phases were conducted in either laboratory or controlled field environments. Marine Corps and highly fit civilian volunteers performed cognitive and physical tasks in simulations of sustained reconnaissance missions in which a number of complicating factors and conditions were progressively added and measured. These manipulated factors were various levels of respiratory, circadian, thermoregulatory, sleeploss, workload, fitness, drug and clothing (various MOPP levels). When appropriate either between or within group repeated measures designs were utilized. The effects were measured by established medical, psychological and physiological methods as described in Tri-service PABs that were developed by the Army's Chemical Defense Program of which this project was a part.