Identifying optimal work/rest cycles for military missions in heat

Predicting Responses to Exhausting, Prolonged, And Repeated Exercise Demands (PREPARED) for Heat

Not applicable Interventional State University of New York at Buffalo · NCT06475339

This study is testing different work and rest schedules for military missions in hot weather to see which ones help soldiers perform better and stay safe from heat-related issues.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment24 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 39 Years
SexAll
SponsorState University of New York at Buffalo Academic / other
Locations1 site (Buffalo, New York)
Trial IDNCT06475339 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This project aims to determine effective work/rest cycles that enhance mission completion speed while reducing heat strain and neuromuscular fatigue in emergency situations. By comparing various work/rest intervals, the study seeks to find a balance between performance and safety during high-temperature operations. The findings will assist military leaders in making informed decisions regarding mission planning in hot weather, ultimately improving operational success and reducing heat-related casualties.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are healthy, physically active individuals without significant medical histories.

Not a fit: Patients with cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, or other significant health issues may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved safety and performance for military personnel operating in extreme heat conditions.

How similar studies have performed: While similar studies have explored exercise and heat strain, this specific approach to optimizing work/rest cycles in military contexts is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy individuals
* Physically active

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of cardiovascular, metabolic (such as clinical thyroid disease), respiratory, neural, or renal disease
* Hypertensive (systolic blood pressure \> 139 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure \> 89 mmHg) or tachycardic (heart rate \> 100 bpm) during the screening visit
* Taking medications or supplements known to effect physiologic responses to exercise or thermoregulation (e.g., beta blockers, omega-3 fatty acids, statins, aspirin)
* Tobacco or nicotine use currently or in the past six months
* Musculoskeletal injury expected to impact exercise in the protocol
* A positive pregnancy test at any point in the study
* Study physician discretion based on any other medical condition or medication
* Inability to understand or follow instructions or the protocol
* Gastrointestinal disease or previous surgery prohibiting core temperature capsule use. Participants with a contraindication can opt to insert the pill rectally as a suppository.

Where this trial is running

Buffalo, New York

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions HyperthermiaFatigueHeat
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.