DoD supports Lara Carlson to study driver physiology

Lara Carlson, DPE., FACSM, CSCS, associate professor in the Westbrook College of Health Professions and the Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences, was recently awarded $40,000 in support from the United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM)/Department of Defense to examine the physiological and thermoregulatory responses from driving a stock car in a competitive NASCAR sanctioned race.

Special attention will focus on the hydration status of the drivers while racing. A study like this has military relevance as our combat men and women often experience similar environmental situations – such as performing physical and mental tasks in a Humvee or armored tank.