BACKGROUND: In a previous study, pressurized sleeves and gloves were found to substantially diminish or eliminate G-induced arm pain. Since this equipment presumably acts similarly to a G suit for the arms and hands, it was hypothesized that higher inflation pressures might provide
an additional increment of G protection.METHODS: In a human-rated centrifuge, 15 well trained subjects using Combat Edge and ATAGS G-protective equipment were exposed to gradual and rapid onset relaxed G exposures as well as rapid onset straining and simulated aerial combat maneuver
G exposures up to + 9 Gz with and without pressurized sleeves and gloves.RESULTS: The pressurized sleeves and gloves did not show any improvement in G tolerance or endurance compared to the control. However, significantly lower heart rates (6–12%) and subjective
effort (11%), along with slightly less peripheral vision loss, suggest a decreased work load when wearing the pressurized sleeves and gloves. A trend to shorter time on target in a tracking task was found with the pressurized sleeves and gloves, likely due to decreased mobility of the hands,
thus affecting control stick input.CONCLUSIONS: G tolerance and endurance were not improved by the pressurized sleeves and gloves. However, a lower heart rate and a decreased subjective effort level and peripheral vision loss indicated that the subjects did not have to work as hard
with this equipment.Morgan TR, Balldin U, Fischer JR. G protection when adding pressurized sleeves and gloves to a representative G-suit ensemble. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(5):464–469.