ENERGY EXPENDITURE OF SOLDIERS PERFORMING COMBAT TYPE ACTIVITIES

Abstract

The energy cost of ft number of tactical tasks was measured for soldiers during tactically controlled rather than experimentally controlled tasks. The upper range of energy expenditure rates was 400 to 4:10 kcal per hour during these tactical manoeuvres; incipient physical or heat exhaustion was associated with the few much higher values. The realism of the tactical situation, and an estimate of the contribution made by the heat load and wearing of the gas mask to the energy costs measured is presented. The hypothesis is presented that the upper range of energy expenditure rates for prolonged periods is independent of terrain when men are allowed to work at their own pace, but depends on the total weight carried. The relationship between ventilation volume and energy expenditure in this study is compared with data presented by Liddell and supports the argument that calculation of energy expenditure can be reliably made using a single formula to convert ventilation volume par se, particularly within the practical accuracy of field measurements