Effects of Chemical Protective Handwear and Headgear on Manual Dexterity

Abstract

During operations in a chemically contaminated environment, the combat soldier must wear, in addition to his normal combat uniform, a special chemical protective overgarment including jacket, trousers, overboots, rubber gloves, and a gas mask with hood. This clothing system was investigated for its impact upon the soldier's ability to perform one-handed and two-handed tasks of manual dexterity. The results of this study indicated that compared to bare-handed conditions, manual dexterity was substantially poorer with the gloved hand. In addition, learning of the manual tasks was slower under the gloved conditions. The difference in performance between bare-handed and gloved conditions remained the same regardless of whether or not the soldier was wearing the gas mask with hood.

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The views, opinions, and/or findings contained in this report are those of the authors and should not be construed as an official Department of the Army position, policy, or decision, unless so stated by other official documentation.

Human subjects participated in this study after giving their free and informed voluntary consent. Investigators adhered to AR 70–25 and USAMRDC Regulation 70–25 on Use of Volunteers in Research.

Thanks are extended to Douglas T. Dauphinee and Susan Jaber for their assistance in the collection of the data, and to Shelley R. Strowman for her assistance in the construction of the figures.