Physiological Effects of TASER® X-26 after Intense Exercise
Amanda C. Barnard, Christian M. Sloane, Gary M. Vilke, Chan C. Theodore, Tom S. Neuman, Fred W. Kolkhorst, Edward M. Castillo · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · 2008
As a result of unexplained deaths after TASER exposure, the safety of the device has been questioned. In many situations where the TASER is deployed, suspects are being combative or are fleeing to avoid apprehension. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological effects of a single TASER® X-26 exposure after intense exercise. METHODS: Six healthy deputy sheriffs performed an incremental cycling protocol to 85% of predicted maximal heart rate (6-12 min). Subjects dismounted the bike and were exposed to a 5-s TASER® X-26 electrical discharge. Minute ventilation (VE), respiratory rate (RR), and tidal volume (TV) were measured at baseline, and 5 min and 60 min post-deployment. Arterialized capillary blood was sampled at baseline, immediately post exercise, and 1 min, 10 min, and 60 min post-deployment. Blood pH, and lactate and bicarbonate (HCO31−) concentrations were measured. RESULTS: RM ANOVA indicated there were no treatment effects. However, there was a time effect for pH, lactate and HCO31− concentrations, and RR (p < 0.05). Exercise caused a decrease in blood pH and an increase in lactate concentration and RR, but these variables returned to baseline within 60 min. Although, exercise caused physiological stress, results suggested there was no additional stress from the TASER® X-26 exposure. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that exposure to a 5-s TASER electrical discharge adds no physiological effects beyond those resulting from brief intense exercise alone.Table