Physiological and perceptual responses while wearing stab-resistant body armor in hot and humid environment

The aim of this study was to investigate the physiological and perceptual responses of the human body wearing stab-resistant body armor (SRBA) in a hot and humid environment. The responses of five healthy male volunteers wearing SRBA were compared with those under a Control condition (wearing T-shirt) in a hot and humid environment (38 °C and relative humidity of 60%). The participants walked on a treadmill at a speed of 6 km/h for 60 min and this was followed by 60 min of recovery. The physiological responses (core temperature, skin temperature, heart rate, oxygen consumption) and perceptual parameters (thermal sensation, thermal comfort, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and restriction to movement) were recorded throughout the tests. The results showed that the use of SRBA resulted in higher values of core temperature, mean skin temperature, heart rate, and oxygen consumption during exercise, and a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the SRBA and Control trials in terms of oxygen consumption was observed. The subjects wearing SRBA exhibited higher RPE and restriction to movement during exercise when compared with those in the Control condition, and a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the two trials in terms of restriction to movement was observed. Moreover, no significant differences (p > 0.05) in terms of thermal sensation and thermal comfort were observed between the SRBA and Control trials. It was concluded that the use of SRBA imposed high thermoregulatory and cardiovascular strain, reduced perceived exertion, and restricted movement during exercise in the hot and humid environment, whereas its effect on thermal sensation and thermal comfort was negligible when compared with those in the Control condition.