Effects of 3 Fluids on Hydration During MOPP Training

Except for combat casualties, dehydration is the military's primary wartime health problem. Dehydration is also challenging during peacetime training exercises. Fluid loss and electrolyte imbalances can lead to thermal injuries, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and death, and could compromise mission readiness. The risks are greater still when personnel don mission-oriented protective postures (MOPP) gear to protect against the threat of chemical agents. The objective of this study was to examine whether a commercial power drink or water was the most effective in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance and blood glucose levels after walking 4.8 miles and attending outdoor briefings for five hours in MOPP-2 gear. The parameters assessed were serum sodium, osmolality, potassium, glucose, urine osmolality, total body water, core temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and weight for samples of men (N = 45) or women (N = 45), aged 18 to 52 years. The investigator also compared the effects of the hydration fluids on men who have body fat 18% or > 19% and women who have body fat 26% or > 27%. After exercise, the power drink group had statistically higher serum glucose and sodium concentrations but no significant differences in serum osmolality, potassium, total body water, or urine osmolality. There were no significant differences between groups in changes in blood pressure, temperature, pulse, or weight. For men who had body fat 18% (N = 19) or > 19 % (N = 26) and women who had body fat 26% (N = 14) or > 27% (N = 31), there were no significant differences in any parameter or between the sexes. Among those who drank the power drink, perception of fatigue was significantly less, ease of drinking was significantly better, and exertion was significantly less than among those who drank water.

Final Report is available on NTRL at: https://ntrl.ntis.gov/NTRL/dashboard/searchResults/titleDetail/PB2007107...