Physiological Research of Defence Interest in India Part II: Studies in Thermal Stress Noise Exposure Hazards Bioclimatology Physical Work Capacity and Effects of Ageing

Abstract

Scientific evaluation of the caloric requirements of our defence personnel under various operational scenarios has helped rationalise the service ration scale appropriate to each scenario. Some of our troops have often to work under extremely hot-dry or hot-cold environments which are generally known have adverse effect on the human body. Consequently, the nature of heat illness cases among army personnel and the contributing factors, the requirements of sodium and potassium in summer, quantification of the impact of thermal stress on the physical work capacity and mental functions, prediction of endurance time and safe exposure time while working under hot environments, have been extensively studied. Exposure to high noise levels is a hazard during gunfire as well as operation of machinery such as engines of ships. Auditory and non-auditory effects due to exposure, and the measures to minimise noise exposure, have been studied. Durations of safe exposure to different noise levels have been prescribed. Another important area covered is the effect of ageing on physical and capacities. The findings would be useful in the optimal deployment of troops in different tasks. Defence physiologists have also carried out basic research whose results would be handy in the setting of norms and standards for important physiological parameters and for the ergonomic/physiological evaluation of implements and instruments.