A primary Soldier skill is the ability to quickly and effectively acquire and engage threats. This research evaluates shooting stances and transition movements of expert shooters when conducting multiple engagements requiring gross body movement across a 50 degree arc. Seven participants were classified during post analysis as utilizing two different unsupported standing firing positions (a narrow-based and wide-based stance) in a loaded and unloaded condition. Marksmanship was assessed using traditional lethality measures, a mobility timing measure, and weapon handling/stability measures. Significant differences were found across performance between the two positions. In a follow-on analysis, participants were categorized into stance type (fighter stance vs. isosceles stance) and transitional movement method (lifted feet vs. grounded). Significant decrements in performance were seen for the isosceles stance and the lift-foot method after the transition to target 2. These results suggest that stance and transition methods are extremely influential on lower-body stability and marksmanship performance.
Evaluating marksmanship performance is crucial for Warfighters and competitive shooters alike. Traditionally, only accuracy or hit/miss has been used as the quantitative metric to report performance. In this study, grip strength from U.S. Army Soldiers is compared to marksmanship stability metrics recorded after a field training mission. The data analysis revealed that there is a relationship between grip strength and stability, especially in the less stable standing position. The horizontal and vertical stability measures, as well as trigger control offer new insights into weapon control during target acquisition and trigger pull. These metrics, combined with accuracy and precision, offer a more robust evaluation of a shooter’s performance. Correlating these metrics to grip strength shows a relationship between a shooter’s strength and performance, and can lead to targeted training for better performance. Future studies should continue to use stability metrics when defining performance, as well as investigate additional strength metrics.
Standardized military mission oriented obstacle courses are being used to assess the impact of clothing and individual equipment on Warfighter performance. While the role of and sensitivity of weight has been investigated, the role and sensitivity of the course to bulk has not. Bulk was varied using lightweight foam inserts, with limited variation in weight at 0% (duty uniform), 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% (based on encumbered measurements of a body armor vest with grenadier load configuration). Bulk had minimal impact on total completion time until the largest bulk configuration was added. Individual obstacle completion time findings were similar, although the sprint and agility may have been less sensitive and the walls and windows may have been more sensitive. Chest depth was the most predictive anthropometric measure for completion time. This information will aid equipment designers in understanding how their design impacts performance.
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