Psychophysiological and specific fine motor skill modifications in a checkpoint action

In last years, the insurgency attacks on task forces bases and checkpoints have been common. The study of psychophysiological response of soldiers in these asymmetrical and non-controlled situations remains a challenge. The present research aimed to analyze the psychophysiological response and the variations in specific fine motor skill after a checkpoint simulation which included surveillance, unexpected attacks, and melee combat. Psychophysiological parameters –heart rate, blood glucose, pressure, oxygen saturation, and lactate, legs´ strength, skin temperature, cortical activation, anxiety-, as well as fine motor skills were analyzed in a sample of 24 professional Spanish Army soldiers (35.67 ± 6.62 years, 177.21 ± 7.37 cm, 82.29 ± 11.02 kg, 26.17 ± 2.82 BMI, 15.25 ± 7.44 years of experience in their unit) before and after a checkpoint simulation. The checkpoint surveillance operation produced a significant increase (p < 0.05) in rated perceived exertion, heart rate, blood lactate concentration, legs´ strength and somatic anxiety, and a significant decrease in blood oxygen saturation and skin temperature values. We concluded that results were consistent with an activation of sympathetic nervous system, triggering a fight-flight response, a chain of intense psychophysiological reactions and a misinterpretation of perceived exertion. Results may help predicting soldiers´ physical and operative behavior in real situations.

• Autores: Sánchez-Molina, Joaquín; Robles-Pérez, José J; Clemente Suárez, Vicente Javier
• Tipo de recurso: Article of journal
• Fecha de publicación: 2019
• Institución: Corporación Universidad de la Costa
• Repositorio: REDICUC - Repositorio CUC
• Idioma: eng
• OAI Identifier: oai:repositorio.cuc.edu.co:11323/3333
• Acceso en línea: https://hdl.handle.net/11323/3333; https://repositorio.cuc.edu.co/
• Palabra clave: Psychophysiology; Lactate; Stress; Anxiety; Military; Psicofisiologia; Lactato; Estrés; Ansiedad; Militar
• Rights: openAccess
• License: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International