Work

The physiological demands of a military dismounted assault task

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Aim Characterise the physiological demands of a military dismounted assault task (DAT) simulation. Method: Fourteen men (mean ± SD: age 29 ± 9 years; body mass 79.9 ± 9.2 kg; V ˙ O 2peak 51.9 ± 4.4 ml·kg −1 ·min −1 ; upright pull strength 177 ± 20 kg) performed a DAT (external load 24.3 kg) of 16 × 6 m bounds in 20 s cycles (5 s work, 15 s rest) followed by an 18 m leopard crawl. Performance and physiological demands (heart rate and indirect calorimetry via the Douglas bag technique) during the first and last 48 m of bounds and the leopard crawl were compared using a one-way repeated measures ANOVA. Performance was maintained across the first and last 48 m (bound speed 5.7 ± 0.9 and 5.8 ± 0.8 km·h −1 ) despite substantial increases in oxygen consumption (first 48 m 25.4 ± 3.3 ml·kg −1 ·min −1 ; last 48 m 31.7 ± 3.5 ml·kg −1 ·min −1 ; leopard crawl 40.4 ± 6.4 ml·kg −1 ·min −1 , p < 0.001, Ѡ2 = 0.64). Mean leopard crawl time was 26.1 ± 8.1 s at a speed of 2.7 ± 0.8 km·h −1 and post-exercise blood lactate was 3.8 ± 1.4 mmol·L −1 . Increasing oxygen consumption with modest blood lactate responses suggests the demands of the DAT simulation are similar to intermittent high-intensity exercise and that aerobic fitness is an important determinant of performance.

Source: Applied Ergonomics

DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104637

Authors: Stephen J. McGuire, Sam D. Blacker, David M. Wilkinson, Stephen D. Myers

Institution: University of Chichester

Language: English

Topic: Occupational Health and Performance

Subfield: Occupational Therapy

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,400