Mechanical, Physical, and Physiological Analysis of Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Combat

Abstract

In current theaters of operation, soldiers had to face a different situation as symmetrical (defined battlefield) and asymmetrical combat (non-defined battlefield), especially in urban areas. The mechanical and organic responses of soldiers in these combats are poorly studied in specific literature. This research aimed to analyze physical, mechanical, and physiological parameters during symmetrical and asymmetrical combat simulations. We analyzed 20 soldiers from the Spanish Army and Spanish Forces and Security Corps (34.5 ± 4.2 years; 176.4 ± 8.4 cm; 74.6 ± 8.7 kg; 63.3 ± 8.0 kg muscular mass; 7.6 ± 3.2 kg fat mass) during a symmetric combat (traditional combat simulation) and during an asymmetrical combat (urban combat simulation). Heart rate (HR), speed, sprints, distances, impact, and body load parameters were measured by a GPS system and a HR belt. Results showed many differences between symmetrical and asymmetrical combat. Asymmetrical combat presented higher maximum velocity movement, number of sprints, sprint distance, and average HR. By contrary, symmetric combat presented higher number of impact and body load. This information could be used to improve specific training programs for each type of combat.

Respuesta psicofisiológica en un salto táctico paracaidista HAHO: caso de Estudio

“…El sistema GPS fue activado previo a la fase de equipamiento y se paró después de recoger el equipo al tomar tierra. Posteriormente los datos fueron descargados en un ordenador y analizados mediante el programa Team AMS software (GPSports, V1.2, Canberra, Australia) 5 . Además el combatiente llevaba un pulsómetro polar V800 con función de análisis RR para el análisis de la variabilidad de la frecuencia cardiaca.…”

“…Sin embargo, esta alta activación orgánica no es percibida por el combatiente ya que reporta valores bajos de percepción subjetiva de esfuerzo (RPE) en este tipo de combates 1,3 . También ha sido evaluado como el estrés de combate produce una disminución en el procesamiento de la información y fatiga del sistema nervioso central, posiblemente debido al alto número de incertidumbres a controlar por el combatiente en el campo de batalla 5 . En estas situaciones, el combatiente puede interpretar esas incertidumbres como posibles elementos desde los cuales puede aparecer una acción hostil que comprometa su integridad, provocando un estado de ansiedad en el cual el cerebro es sobreestimulado 6 , haciendo estas situaciones muy estresantes para el combatiente 7 .…”

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

“…As Clemente‐Suárez & Robles‐Pérez, postulated, current theatres of operations conflicts are characterized by the combination of symmetrical combat (front line, battlefield, and a defined enemy) and asymmetrical combat (in urban areas and in constant evolution with the presence of civilians and an undefined battlefield). In this context, soldiers need to be prepared for unexpected attacks, close quarter combat, and melee combat.…”

“…The increase of sympathetic nervous systems caused by combat stress has a direct effect on organic response, increasing the metabolic, muscular, and cardiovascular response, decreasing the cortical arousal (Clemente‐Suárez & Robles‐Pérez, ; Clemente‐Suárez & Robles‐Pérez, , ), impairing performance in superior cognitive processes, such as memory (Taverniers, Ruyssenveldt, Smeets & Grumbkow, 2010), and the perceived exertion (Clemente‐Suárez & Robles‐Pérez, , ; Clemente‐Suárez & Robles‐Pérez, , ). Unpredictability is a shared common feature in combat as well as psychological stress, which has been closely related with health (Schneiderman, Ironson, & Siegel, ; Værnes et al, ).…”

Technical Analysis of Close Quarter Combat with Rifle

“…Actual rifle fencing training is focused to teach all the possible repertoire of techniques that could be used in any combat situation. This training does not take into account the influence of combat in soldier's organism, because as has been shown recently the combat stress causes a decrease in arousal levels, central nervous system fatigue and the activation of primitive and innate defense mechanisms as the fight-flight response [8][9][10][11]. This organic response could influence the correct application of the fencing techniques of soldiers, making their actuation less efficient and/or making it more innate and irrational [8,10].…”