User Trials and Equipment Testing

Monitoring the physiological responses of volunteers during equipment testing is vital for quantifying performance and the safe working limits of participants.

The revision of Joint Service Publication (JSP) 912 in November 2010 now makes human factors a mandatory requirement for all Ministry of Defence acquisition projects and programmes. This includes a range of procurement options including Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS), Military Off The Shelf (MOTS) and Urgent Operational Requirements (UORs).Human factors integration requires a balanced analysis of the people-related aspects of the project across all defence lines of development, which included Concepts & Doctrine, Equipment, Information, Infrastructure, Logistics, Organisation ,Personnel and Training. All human factors integration activities should be carried out by suitably qualified and experienced person. Where human factors resources are drawn from Industry, it is preferred that they should be a UK Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors Registered Consultancy (through which Optimal Performance Limited is registered).

We are experienced in measuring the physiological and ergonomic aspects of human performance in experimental and user trials in defence, emergency service and industrial settings.

Our role in user trials and equipment testing has been varied. We have provided live monitoring during field trials of the new British Armed Forces General Service Respirator. We have been contracted by the Home Office and Ministry of Defence to test and develop non-invasive technologies to measure core body temperature. We have conducted ergonomic assessments and measured the physiological responses of individuals during CBRN Personal Protective Equipment trials as well as evaluated sweat rates and risk of dehydration during simulated deployments.

Our capabilities in this area include:

  • Development and submission of ethics committee protocols
  • Physiological monitoring of participants in a laboratory and field settings
  • The measurement of body temperature, cardiovascular strain, metabolic responses to exercise and blood analysis (see technical expertise for more details)
  • Ergonomic assessment of the interaction between participants with equipment and the environment
  • Processing and reporting of data to underpin performance and/or safety aspects of equipment.

Our approach to supporting user trials and equipment testing is flexible and we are capable of working alone or within multidisciplinary teams with a number of partners. To discuss any specific requirements please contact us.

Example User Trials and Equipment Testing projects:

Richmond VL, Wilkinson DM, Blacker SD Horner FE, Nevill A, Rayson MP. (2009) Validity of Insulated Skin Temperature as a Predictor of Body Core Temperature for Military Personnel in Desert Environments. Optimal Performance Ltd., Bristol, UK, 4 September 2009

Wilkinson, DM, Richmond VL, Horner FE, Rayson M P, Cowie HA, and Graveling RA. (2008) An Ergonomic Evaluation of Four Quick Donning Police CBRN Ensembles. QinetiQ, Farnborough, UK, QinetiQ/08/02313: September 2008

Carter JM, Rayson MP, Wilkinson DM, Richmond VL and Nevill A. (2006) The Validity of Insulated Skin Temperature as a measure of Deep Body Temperature: Study 2. Optimal Performance Ltd., Bristol, UK, 28 December 2006

Wilkinson DM, Richmond VL, Carter JM, Blacker SD, Rayson MP. (2006) The Relationship between Deep Gastrointestinal Pill and Rectal Temperatures and the Effect of Water Ingestion on Shallow Gastrointestinal Pill Temperature. Optimal Performance Ltd., Bristol, UK, 1 March 2006

Carter JM, Richmond VL, Rayson MP, Wilkinson DM. (2005) A Review of the Techniques Available for the Measurement of Core Body Temperature. Development of a Physiological Monitor for Emergency Service Personnel. Optimal Performance Ltd., Bristol, UK, 9 November 2005

Rayson MP, Wilkinson DM, Carter J, Richmond V, Blacker S. (2005) Physiological Assessment of Emergency Service Personnel performing Civil Resilience Scenarios in an alternative Personal Protective Ensemble. Optimal Performance Ltd., Bristol, UK, 18 March 2005