The U.S. Army's Standards of Medical Fitness (AR 40-501) states: "Prior burn injury (to include donor sites) involving a total body surface area of 40% or more does not meet the standard." However, the standard does not account for the interactive effect of burn injury size and air temperature on exercise thermoregulation. PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the detrimental effect of a simulated burn injury on exercise thermoregulation is dependent on air temperature. METHODS: On eight occasions, nine males cycled for 60 min at a fixed metabolic heat production (6 W·kg) in air temperatures of 40°C or 25°C with simulated burn injuries of 0% (Control), 20%, 40%, or 60% of total body surface area (TBSA). Burn injuries were simulated by covering the skin with an absorbent, vapor-impermeable material to impede evaporation from the covered areas. Core temperature was measured in the gastrointestinal tract via telemetric pill. RESULTS: In 40°C conditions, greater elevations in core temperature were observed with 40% and 60% TBSA simulated burn injuries versus Control (P < 0.01). However, at 25°C, core temperature responses were not different versus Control with 20%, 40%, and 60% TBSA simulated injuries (P = 0.97). The elevation in core temperature at the end of exercise was greater in the 40°C environment with 20%, 40%, and 60% TBSA simulated burn injuries (P ≤ 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Simulated burn injuries ≥20% TBSA exacerbate core temperature responses in hot, but not temperate, air temperatures. These findings suggest that the U.S. Army's standard for inclusion of burned soldiers is appropriate for hot conditions, but could lead to the needless discharge of soldiers who could safely perform their duties in cooler training/operational settings.
The U.S. Army's Standards of Medical Fitness (AR 40-501) states: "Prior burn injury (to include donor sites) involving a total body surface area of 40% or more does not meet the standard." However, the standard does not account for the interactive effect of burn injury size and air temperature on exercise thermoregulation. PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the detrimental effect of a simulated burn injury on exercise thermoregulation is dependent on air temperature. METHODS: On eight occasions, nine males cycled for 60 min at a fixed metabolic heat production (6 W·kg) in air temperatures of 40°C or 25°C with simulated burn injuries of 0% (Control), 20%, 40%, or 60% of total body surface area (TBSA). Burn injuries were simulated by covering the skin with an absorbent, vapor-impermeable material to impede evaporation from the covered areas. Core temperature was measured in the gastrointestinal tract via telemetric pill. RESULTS: In 40°C conditions, greater elevations in core temperature were observed with 40% and 60% TBSA simulated burn injuries versus Control (P < 0.01). However, at 25°C, core temperature responses were not different versus Control with 20%, 40%, and 60% TBSA simulated injuries (P = 0.97). The elevation in core temperature at the end of exercise was greater in the 40°C environment with 20%, 40%, and 60% TBSA simulated burn injuries (P ≤ 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Simulated burn injuries ≥20% TBSA exacerbate core temperature responses in hot, but not temperate, air temperatures. These findings suggest that the U.S. Army's standard for inclusion of burned soldiers is appropriate for hot conditions, but could lead to the needless discharge of soldiers who could safely perform their duties in cooler training/operational settings.
Authors: Scott L Davis; Manabu Shibasaki; David A Low; Jian Cui; David M Keller; Gary F Purdue; John L Hunt; T Brett D Arnoldo; Karen J Kowalske; Craig G Crandall Journal: J Burn Care Res Date: 2007 May-Jun Impact factor: 1.845
Authors: Matthew S Ganio; Zachary J Schlader; James Pearson; Rebekah A I Lucas; Daniel Gagnon; Eric Rivas; Karen J Kowalske; Craig G Crandall Journal: Med Sci Sports Exerc Date: 2015-10 Impact factor: 5.411
Authors: Leopoldo C Cancio; E Eric Horvath; David J Barillo; Bernard J Kopchinski; Keith R Charter; Alfredo E Montalvo; Teresa M Buescher; Matthew L Brengman; Mary-Margaret Brandt; John B Holcomb Journal: J Burn Care Rehabil Date: 2005 Mar-Apr
Authors: Jamie Oh; Christopher Madison; Grace Flott; Elisha G Brownson; Stephen Sibbett; Carolina Seek; Gretchen J Carrougher; Colleen M Ryan; Karen Kowalske; Nicole S Gibran; Barclay T Stewart Journal: J Burn Care Res Date: 2021-11-24 Impact factor: 1.819
Authors: Mads Fischer; Matthew N Cramer; M U Huang; Luke N Belval; Joseph C Watso; Frank A Cimino; Craig G Crandall Journal: Med Sci Sports Exerc Date: 2020-10