Abstract
Actual theaters of operations require fast actions from special operations units with a high level of readiness and survival. Mission accomplishment depends on their psychological and physiological performance. The aim of the present study was to analyze: (1) the physical parameters related with success in a special operation selection course; and (2) the modifications of the psychological profile of recruits before and after a special operation selection course. Fifty-five male soldiers of the Spanish Army (25.1 ± 5.0 years, 1.8 ± 0.1 cm, 76.8 ± 7.9 kg, 24.4 ± 2.5 kg/m2) undertaking a 10-week special operation selection course performed a battery of physiological and psychological tests. Results showed how successful soldiers presented higher leg strength, anaerobic running performance, and cardiovascular response than non-successful soldiers. The psychological values of life engagement test, acceptance and action questionnaire, coping flexibility scale, and perceived stress scale did not present significant differences after the selection course. We can conclude that success in a special operation selection course was related to higher anaerobic and cardiovascular fitness. This special operation selection course did not modify the psychological profile of successful soldiers.
Highlights
Actual armed conflicts have changed from traditional symmetrical confrontations to an asymmetrical battlefield, characterized by an unstructured and undefined battlefield, where the presence of civilians is becoming more prevalent (Tornero-Aguilera et al, 2017)
Physical variables of successful and non-successful soldiers in the special operation selection course showed that horizontal jump, 50-m performance, and Heart rate (HR) in the 2000-m tests where significantly (p < 0.05) higher in successful than in non-successful soldiers
The first hypothesis was not compiled since anaerobic fitness was related with success in the special operation selection course, and the second hypothesis was not complied since no modifications in psychological profile were found
Summary
Actual armed conflicts have changed from traditional symmetrical confrontations to an asymmetrical battlefield, characterized by an unstructured and undefined battlefield, where the presence of civilians is becoming more prevalent (Tornero-Aguilera et al, 2017). Special operations units are those taking charge of these missions, where their survivability and mission accomplishment depend on their psychological and physiological performance (Tornero-Aguilera and Clemente-Suárez, 2018; Hormeño-Holgado et al, 2019) These situations under extreme conditions have been previously studied in highdemands context as ultraendurance events (Belinchon-deMiguel and Clemente-Suárez, 2018), parachuting (Clemente-Suárez et al, 2017a,b,c), different military combat situations like melee combat (Clemente-Suarez et al, 2018), airmobile protection teams actions (Hormeño-Holgado and Clemente-Suárez, 2019a,b) and in military aircraft pilots (Bustamante-Sánchez et al, 2018, 2019; Hormeño-Holgado and Clemente-Suárez, 2019a,b). Recent literature supports that previous experience and training influence the psychophysiological responses to these contexts (Tornero-Aguilera and Clemente-Suárez, 2018) and propose specific training models for this context and population as a useful tool to improve the warfighters’ psychophysiological response and operability (Diaz-Manzano et al, 2018a; Curiel-Regueros et al, 2019; Tornero-Aguilera and Clemente-Suárez, 2019)
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