Author(s): MELLO, D., GODLESKY, L.1, FARIAS, F.1, CASTRO, D.J.1, PEDRETTI, G.L.1, SENA, R.1, BALDUÍNO, A.L.1, ROSA, S.3, SILLERO, M.4, Institution: UNIVERSIDAD POLITÉCNICA DE MADRID, Country: SPAIN, Abstract-ID: 2438

INTRODUCTION:
Tactical athletes, including military personnel, firefighters, and police officers, face extreme conditions that impact their performance and thermoregulation. Uniform design and materials play a crucial role in heat management, influencing comfort, safety, and efficiency. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the effect of uniform on skin temperature using infrared thermography.
METHODS:
The research was conducted with a non-probabilistic sample of 10 male soldiers, age of 27.702.71 yrs. in a controlled environment, with air temperature and relative humidity monitored using an Instrutherm® HT-270 thermohygrometer. Infrared thermography with a Flir® E76 thermal camera was used to compare skin temperatures in two conditions: with and without the Brazilian Armys new camouflage uniform. Soldiers underwent acclimatization and body temperature monitoring before measurements. Data were described using descriptive and inferential statistics. A significance level of p ≤ 0.05 was considered.
RESULTS:
Soldiers with Armys new camouflage uniform presented statistically significant increases in skin temperature in the right trapezius (0.87%, p=0.028) and left trapezius (1.27%, p=0.007), right chest (2.16%, p<0.001) and left chest (2.83%, p<0.001), right biceps (2.35%, p=0.002) and left biceps (3.21%, p<0.001), right costal region (2.00%, p<0.001) and left costal region (1.51%, p<0.001), as well as the left knee (6.58%, p<0.001). On the other hand, regions such as the right neck (0.03%, p=0.906) and left neck (0.24%, p=0.466) showed no significant differences.
CONCLUSION:
This study highlights the impact of military uniforms on skin temperature, particularly in high-metabolic muscle and joint regions. Increased heat retention was observed, emphasizing the need for uniform designs that enhance ventilation and thermal regulation. Optimizing these factors can improve comfort, performance, and operational efficiency for tactical athletes.
Keywords: thermoregulation, tactical athletes, uniform.
Supported by Pró-Pesquisa CADESM/DECEx/Brazilian Army, EsEFEx, Poliscan Brazil® and ThermoHuman®.

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