Effects of Wearing NBC (Nuclear, Biological and Chemical) Protective Clothing in the Heat on Detection of Visual Signals

摘要

Sensitivity for detection of visual signals distributed at various locations throughout the visual field was studied in 16 male subjects during degrees of ambient heat exposure (91F/61%RH; 70F/35%RH; 55F/35%RH), in combination with and without wearing of the Army NBC protective clothing system (MOPP-IV). Response time for signal detection increased systematically and significantly with peripheralization of stimulus locations, was most impaired in the superior and inferior visual field areas, and least affected along the horizontal axis area. The data support previous results obtained using this task. Both the heat and the heat+MOPP-IV exposure conditions produced highly significant systematic increases in response time to all signals; the worst performance occurred under the heat+MOPP-IV combination. Implications for visual performance while wearing chemical protective gear are discussed.