Research in military physiology was started in 1952 with the formation of a small Physiology Division within the realm of Defence Science Laboratory (DSL) located in the premises of NPL at Pusa, New Delhi. Thereafter with recognition of environmental physiology and ergonomics of man-machine interface as prime thrust area, the Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS) was officially instituted on 20th September 1962 within DSL premises, which by then was shifted from NPL to Metcalfe House, Delhi. DIPAS, for a short period between Dec 1962 & 1968 was located in the Physiology Department of Madras Medical College, Madras. Subsequently, in 1968, it was relocated at the Army Base Hospital, Delhi Cantonment. In the year 1993, the Institute was shifted to its present permanent premises at Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi. The Institute has consistently flourished with all kinds of new infrastructure for Physiological, Biochemical, Biomedical & Molecular (Proteomics & Genomics) research in relation to holistic health and performance improvement of soldiers.
During the early years, DIPAS has contributed extensively in all major areas of immediate application to defence operation, viz. ration scales and nutrition of soldiers, sizing of clothing, load carriage and distribution in infantry soldiers, thermal comfort zone identification, nature of heat casualty, salt and water requirement in summer, habitability survey of naval ships, physical training and conditioning schedule. While continuing with these issues related to immediate operational needs as faced by the users, research studies also emanated in tune with the time and the emerging technology. Extensive research work has been carried out on yoga and adaptogen as performance enhancers in extreme environments. Database on body composition, anthropometrics for formulation of recruitment standards, designing equipment and protective clothing for both male and females have been carried out. The studies on heat induced hypo-hydration on physiological and cognitive functions under desert operations were taken up for improving performance. Neurophysiological mechanism of anorexia, HAPE, cold injuries, memory impairment, sleep pattern at high altitude was elucidated for developing preventive/ therapeutic measures. Development of protective device against noise induced hearing loss by carbogen breathing was carried out successfully. The physiological evaluation of cold, heat and NBC protective clothing were done. The nutritional requirements of Armed Forces under different operational environments and during specialized training like high altitude were reviewed recently.
In line with the modern concepts of evaluation of any strategy and end result of research there are certain useful products and processes developed for improving the quality of life of man behind the machine. The research investigations and recommendations over the years has been termed as force multipliers for successful operations by armed forces. A three stage acclimatization schedule equipped the armed forces to battle the problems of acute mountain sickness & high altitude pulmonary edema and reduced the casualties to a large extent, treatment modality for high altitude pulmonary edema, yoga and herbal adaptogens of Indian origin, Aloe vera based cream for prevention of frost bite, carbogen for prevention of noise induced hearing loss are some of the achievements which have been accepted and implemented by the armed forces. In selection of soldiers and officers for armed forces, DIPAS has laid down standards based on body fat and body mass index after rigorous research and arrived at minimum physical standards . The same has been implemented by Indian Air Force for recruitment of pilots. DIPAS has also contributed immensely towards formulation of ration scales for armed services, designing of the cockpit of LCA or the drivers compartment of the main battle tank Arjun, physiological evaluation of life support systems for paratroopers and NBC suits.
DIPAS has developed battery operated electrically heated gloves and socks which are under evaluation. Also to make the living conditions of soldiers little comfortable a self sustaining hut utilizing non conventional energy sources is being developed, one such hut is under trial at base camp. In near future, DIPAS will revolutionize high altitude health and well being of the soldiers with electrically heated garments, field shelters using non conventional sources of energy for heating and power requirement, oxygen enrichment, creating genomics database, facilitating rapid acclimatization by different training protocols and providing herbal supplements for improving high altitude tolerance. DIPAS is also developing personal cooling suits for desert operations, strategies for improving soldiers’ health in LIC environment integrating yoga in health and disease of soldiers. DIPAS is emerging as a leader in translational research
DIPAS has come a long way to emerge as a premier institute conducting research in the field of military physiology and related disciplines using ‘Man to Molecule’ and ‘Concept to product’ approach. Neuroscientists at DIPAS are trying to unravel the physiological and molecular mechanism behind environment mediated changes on brain and behavior. Neurophysiological changes under stressful environmental conditions have been the thrust area of DIPAS as the troops in India are posted to different environmental situations. Research on brain functions at high altitude initially focused on neurophysiological alterations, responses of autonomic nervous system, EEG, sleep profile and effects of sleep deprivation on high altitude exposure. Later on many other parameters also got center of attention such as evoked potentials, event related potentials and hedonic matrix and hypophagia. Psychological and electrophysiological tests for evaluation of cognitive functions of human volunteers inducted to high altitude provided important information regarding functioning of brain following high altitude exposure. Our investigations on high altitude induced anorexia showed sensory dependence of feeding behavior and changes in hedonic responses in terms of palatability for sweetness.
In addition to research carried on electrophysiological responses on high altitude exposure, investigations have also been carried out to evaluate the therapeutic potential of yoga and meditation in ameliorating stress induced alterations in neurophysiology. At present, the focus area of research is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in modulation of neurotransmitters under stressful environment with special reference to behavior and sleep deprivation. As countermeasures both pharmacological and non pharmacological interventions are being explored to improve the cognitive functioning as well as sleep quality of soldiers deputed at high altitude.
To keep pace with the international scientific research, DIPAS has also ventured into the upcoming fields of biotechnology, proteomics, genomics and nanotechnology . While continuing the research with issues related to operational needs, the translational research also emanated in tune with the time and the emerging technologies. This has culminated into an important HSP based candidate vaccine against typhoid and several Nutraceuticals. Currently, studies are on the anvil to elicit the markers of acclimatization, maladaptations along with the methods to improve physical and cognitive performance of soldiers under all conditions of deployment. Further we believe in active collaborations with the armed services, our sister DRDO laboratories, biomedical agencies and academia within the country and abroad to further our research for improving the performance of soldiers.
It is endeavor of DIPAS to create state of the art facility for advanced scientific research, provide trained manpower for nation building in the field of Physiology and provide global operational forces.