| Autor: |
Stein JA; Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, USA.; Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Belcamp, MD, USA.; Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA., Hepler TC; Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA., DeBlauw JA; Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA., Beattie CM; Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA., Beshirs CD; Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA., Holte KM; Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA., Kurtz BK; Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA., Heinrich KM; Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA. |
| Abstrakt: |
This study examined if field-expedient physical fitness/performance assessments predicted performance during a simulated direct-fire engagement. Healthy subjects ( n = 33, age = 25.7 ± 7.0 years) completed upper- and lower-body strength and power assessments and a 3-min all-out running test to determine critical velocity. Subjects completed a simulated direct-fire engagement that consisted of marksmanship with cognitive workload assessment and a fire-and-move drill (16 × 6-m sprints) while wearing a combat load. Susceptibility to enemy fire was modelled on average sprint duration during the fire-and-move drill. Stepwise linear regression identified predictors for the performance during the simulated direct-fire engagement. Critical velocity ( β = -0.30, p < 0.01) and standing broad jump ( β = -0.67, p < 0.001) predicted susceptibility to enemy fire ( R 2 = 0.74, p < 0.001). All predictors demonstrated poor relationships with marksmanship accuracy and cognitive performance. These data demonstrate the importance of exercise tolerance and lower-body power during simulated direct-fire engagements and provide potential targets for interventions to monitor and enhance performance and support soldier survivability. Practitioner Summary: This study identified field-expedient physical fitness/performance predictors of a simulated direct-fire engagement which evaluated susceptibility to enemy fire, marksmanship, and cognitive performance. Our findings suggest that high-intensity exercise tolerance and lower-body power are key determinants of performance that predicted susceptibility to enemy fire. |
