Research supports, "as little as 2% dehydration in a hot environment can decrease the VO2 max (maximal ability to consume oxygen for work) by 10% and decrease endurance capacity by 22%." (Armstrong, L.E (2000) Performing in Extreme Environments, Human Kinetics).
Results: Cooling vests made of Hydroweave were shown to reduce the body's level of dehydration by 21%.
Core Temperature
Results: "The subjects core temperature was significantly reduced in the cooling vest trails when compared to the participants not wearing a cooled vest.”
Skin Temperature
Results: "Mean
skin temperatures were cooler when wearing the cooling
vest."
Heart Rate
Results: Reduced heart
rate and cardiovascular drift* suggest that wearing a
Hydroweave cooling vest when working in the heat reduces
thermal and cardiovascular strain.
*"Cardiovascular drift"
occurs as a result of sweat losses that reduces the
circulating blood volume.
Perceived Rate of Exertion
Results: Subjects perceived the work trials to be less stressful at all comparable time periods after 10 minutes. This difference in perception of physical exertion was significantly greater at 30 and at 40 minutes.
Endurance
Results: Wearing the
Hydroweave cooling vest prolonged work time by an average of 16.4%
before reaching a 2°C increase in core temperature, adding an
average of 11.25 minutes to work times.
1. Core Temperature and Perceptions of Aquatex Hydroweave® Vest
while wearing a protective barrier suit. David D. Pascoe, Ph.D.,
Health and Human Performance; Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
2. Efficacy of Aquatex Hydroweave® Vests under Climatic Conditions.
Principal investigator: David D. Pascoe, Ph.D., Seokjoo Yoon. Auburn
University Thermal Lab, Auburn, Alabama.
