Experience modulates the psychophysiological response of airborne warfighters during a tactical combat parachute jump

Higher use of techniques studied and performance in melee combat produce a higher psychophysiological stress response

“…The exposition to this stressful context elicited an increase in phylogenetic survival system activating the fight‐or‐flight response defence system (Clemente‐Suárez et al, ; Clemente‐Suárez & Robles‐Pérez, ), being this activation independently of the group performance. This result is in consonance with previous studies that found no differences between experienced and novel soldiers and paratroopers, and between elite and non‐elite soldiers (Clemente‐Suárez et al, ; Clemente‐Suárez, Robles‐Pérez, & Fernández‐Lucas, ; Tornero‐Aguilera et al, ). The HPG showed a higher metabolic activation than LPG because blood lactate presented significant higher values.…”

“…In order to complete the Objective 1, before and immediately after the simulation, the following parameters were measured in the following order as in previous studies (Clemente‐Suárez et al, ; Clemente‐Suárez et al, ; Clemente‐Suárez et al, ; R. Delgado‐Moreno et al, ; Sánchez‐Molina et al, ; Tornero‐Aguilera et al, ): Rated of perceived exertion by the Borg 6–20 scale Stress subjective perception by a 0–100 scale. Body temperature (BT) with a digital infrared thermometer (Temp Touch; Xilas Medical, San Antonio, TX). Blood oxygen saturation (BOS) and HR by a pulse oximeter (PO 30 Beurer Medical). Blood lactate concentration taking a sample of 5‐μl capillary blood from a finger of subjects and analysed with the Lactate Pro Arkay, Inc. system (Kyoto, Japan). Cortical arousal trough the Critical Flicker Fusion Threshold (CFFT) in a viewing chamber (Lafayette Instrument Flicker Fusion Control Unit Model 12021) following the procedures conducted in previous studies (Fuentes et al, ). Lower body muscular strength manifestation by means of a vertical jump test. We used the Sensorize FreePowerJump system (SANRO Electromedicina, Madrid, Spain), which recorded flight time (s) and jump height (cm) to evaluate three vertical types of jump.…”

“…Combat in sport, military, or police contexts is identified by a highly stressful situation in which sympathetic nervous system is highly activated producing an increase in different organic systems (Clemente‐Suárez, de la Vega, Robles‐Pérez, Lautenschlaeger, & Fernández‐Lucas, ; Clemente‐Suárez, Diaz‐Manzano, & Robles‐Pérez, ; Clemente‐Suarez, Palomera, & Robles‐Pérez, ; Clemente‐Suarez & Robles‐Perez, ; Clemente‐Suárez & Robles‐Pérez, ; Clemente‐Suárez, Robles‐Pérez, & Fernández‐Lucas, ; Sánchez‐Molina, Robles‐Pérez, & Clemente‐Suárez, ). Specifically, in actual police and military operations predominate asymmetrical confrontations in which there are many uncertainties as urban areas, the presence of civilians, unstructured and undefined battlefield, hide attack, suicide attack, underground operation, being the melee combat presents in most of these interventions (Clemente‐Suárez et al, ; Clemente‐Suárez & Robles‐Pérez, ; Daily Mail, ; Tornero‐Aguilera & Clemente‐Suarez, ).…”

“…Then the melee technics training is a pillar in police and military personnel. The study of psychophysiological response in combat situations, specifically in military and police populations, showed an increase in stress response that causes an anxiety state, decreased cortical arousal, and central nervous system fatigue (Clemente‐Suárez et al, ; Clemente‐Suárez, Delgado‐Moreno, González‐Gómez, & Robles‐Pérez, ; Clemente‐Suarez & Robles‐Pérez, ; Clemente‐Suarez, Robles‐Pérez, Herrera‐Mendoza, Herrera‐Tapias, & Fernández‐Lucas, ; Sánchez‐Molina et al, ; Tornero‐Aguilera, Robles‐Pérez, & Clemente‐Suárez, ). The anxiety response increases the allocation of attention to threat‐related stimuli reducing attentional focus and negatively affect working memory (Delgado‐Moreno, Robles‐Pérez, & Clemente‐Suárez, ).…”

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

“…Most studies in real or simulated combat have focused on pre–post designs and measurements of physiological parameters as of the stress response: heart rate (HR) and maximal oxygen uptake, among others (Lester et al, ; Nindl et al, ; Ricciardi, Deuster, & Talbot, ; Rintamäki et al, ). Recently, the psychophysiological response in military actions as parachute deploy and symmetrical and asymmetrical combat situations have been studied further (Clemente‐Suárez, de la Vega, Robles‐Pérez, Lautenschlaeger, & Fernández‐Lucas, ; Clemente‐Suárez & Robles‐Pérez, , ; Clemente‐Suárez & Robles‐Pérez, , ), but the study of psychophysiological responses of soldiers in combat situations remains a challenge, especially in melee combat—close proximity unarmed fighting—defined by high unpredictability. Improving knowledge about psychophysiological changes in highly stressful situations is required in order to optimize training.…”