Psychophysiological response to acute‐high‐stress combat situations in professional soldiers

The study of psychophysiological responses of soldiers in combat situations remains a challenge, especially in melee combat—a close proximity unarmed fight—defined by high unpredictability. Gaining knowledge about psychophysiological changes in high‐stress situations is required to optimise training...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Stress and health 2018-04, Vol.34 (2), p.247-252
Main Authors: Clemente‐Suarez, Vicente Javier, Palomera, Pablo Ruisoto, Robles‐Pérez, José Juan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Arousal
Arousal - physiology
autonomic nervous system
Blood levels
Cortex
cortical arousal
Heart rate
Heart Rate - physiology
Humans
Lactic acid
Lactic Acid - blood
Limbic system
Male
Military
Military Personnel
Muscle strength
Muscle Strength - physiology
Physical Exertion - physiology
Psychophysiological measures
Security
Simulation
soldier
strength
stress
Stress, Psychological - blood
Stress, Psychological - physiopathology
Sympathetic Nervous System - physiopathology
Tactics
Violence
Warfare
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Summary:The study of psychophysiological responses of soldiers in combat situations remains a challenge, especially in melee combat—a close proximity unarmed fight—defined by high unpredictability. Gaining knowledge about psychophysiological changes in high‐stress situations is required to optimise training. This study aimed to analyse modifications in autonomic modulation, cortical arousal, heart rate, muscle strength, blood lactate concentration, and rating of perceived exertion of veteran soldiers in a melee combat simulation. Twenty veteran soldiers were analysed before and after a melee combat simulation in accordance with realistic situations that occur in actual operations areas. The simulation consisted of actions performed by a binomial unit in a security and protection mission in an operations area. The melee combat caused an increase in sympathetic modulation, blood lactate concentration, heart rate, muscle strength, a decreased tendency in cortical arousal, and a lower rating of perceived exertion than the organic response measured. An intense fight–flight response was observed in soldiers by the limbic system activation, causing a misinterpretation of perceived exertion. Finally, implications for the design of simulation environments for tactics training in high‐stress professions are discussed.
ISSN:1532-3005
1532-2998
DOI:10.1002/smi.2778