Effects of the M17A2 Gas Mask on Reaction Times and Accuracy in Males and Females under Non-Exercise Conditions

摘要

Volunteer U. S. Marine Corps personnel (24 males and 8 females) participated in a randomized crossover design experiment studying effects of the M17A2 gas mask on speed and accuracy of performance in a series of non-exercise computer controlled tasks. A test of a simple reaction time (SRT) showed small decrements in speed of response (mean mask reaction time 254 vs no mask 238 msec, p=.007; fastest mask reaction times 178 vs no mask 171 msec, p=.009). A task requiring the subject to rapidly alternate between pressing two buttons showed a small decrease in the number or presses achieved per session (1268 vs 1320, p=.045). A more complex reaction time task, visual vigilance, and logical reasoning showed no changes in speed or accuracy when the mask was worn. When the male and female data were analyzed separately, the effects on SRT were only significant among females, while the effects on TRAP were only significant in males. Females also showed a decrement in the slowest responses in the complex reaction time task.