Tactical Dehydration within Military Aircrew

Tactical Dehydration in Military Aircrew: Prevalence and Operational Implications - Tactical Dehydration in Military Aircrew: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Operational Implications

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

NL-OMON

Registry ID

NL-OMON61434

Enrollment

100

Registered

2026-07-12

Start date

2026-09-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-08-10

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Tactical dehydration and delaying urination during exposure to vibration and high G-forces in military aircraft may be associated with pelvic floor dysfunction and urinary incontinence. This study investigates the prevalence of these conditions and their relationship with the availability of bladder-relief options during flight. Furthermore, the symptoms and consequences of tactical dehydration will be assessed. During military flights, some aircrew deliberately drink less or postpone urination

Interventions

None listed

Eligibility

Age

18 Years to 64 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Active-duty Air Force personnel employed in an operational aircrew position.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Non active-duty military personnel serving in an operational aircrew role within the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
The primary outcome is the prevalence of tactical dehydration among active-duty military aircrew, defined as the self-reported deliberate restriction of fluid intake before or during flight operations to reduce the need for urination.	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Reasons for engaging in tactical dehydration, including operational, environmental, and logistical factors.Availability, accessibility, and use of bladder-relief options during flight operations.Prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms, including urinary urgency, frequency, and urinary incontinence.Prevalence of self-reported pelvic floor complaints.Self-reported physical consequences associated with tactical dehydration, such as thirst, headache, fatigue, dizziness, reduced physical performance, and other dehydration-related symptoms.Self-reported cognitive and operational consequences associated with tactical dehydration, including reduced concentration, alertness, decision-making, situational awareness, and perceived mission performance.Associations between tactical dehydration and urinary symptoms, pelvic floor complaints, and self-reported physical, cognitive, and operational outcomes.	—

Measure

Time frame

Reasons for engaging in tactical dehydration, including operational, environmental, and logistical factors.Availability, accessibility, and use of bladder-relief options during flight operations.Prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms, including urinary urgency, frequency, and urinary incontinence.Prevalence of self-reported pelvic floor complaints.Self-reported physical consequences associated with tactical dehydration, such as thirst, headache, fatigue, dizziness, reduced physical performance, and other dehydration-related symptoms.Self-reported cognitive and operational consequences associated with tactical dehydration, including reduced concentration, alertness, decision-making, situational awareness, and perceived mission performance.Associations between tactical dehydration and urinary symptoms, pelvic floor complaints, and self-reported physical, cognitive, and operational outcomes.

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Countries

Belgium, Netherlands, United Kingdom

Contacts

Public ContactLL Beenhakker

Royal Netherlandfs Air And Space Force

ll.beenhakker@mindef.nl0613223465

Outcome results