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RESEARCH SUMMARY: Factors affecting performance on an army urban operation casualty evacuation for male and female soldiers (Chasse et al., 2019)
Title: Factors Affecting Performance on an Army Urban Operation Casualty Evacuation for Male and Female Soldiers
Authors: Chassé E, Tingelstad HC, Needham-Beck SC, Reilly T
Year: 2019
Purpose
Military personnel must have the physical strength and aerobic fitness to perform their job successfully and safely. Due to time constraints, the ability to measure strength and aerobic fitness with simple and reliable field-based tests is important for tactical professionals. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the field-based tests best to predict successful performance of casualty evacuation in male and female soldiers.
Methods and key findings
In this single-cohort study, 9 male and 8 female participants completed a range of strength and aerobic fitness assessments, including VO2 max, Isometric Mid-thigh Pull (IMTP), and medicine ball throw. Peak force from the IMTP test was measured using force plates. They then completed a simulated casualty evacuation task from which time and heart rate reserve were used as outcome measures. Linear regression was used to investigate relationships between performance outcomes and fitness assessment results.
Peak force from the IMTP test and lean body mass were able to discriminate fast performers of the casualty evacuation task against slow performers. Therefore, body composition and maximal strength are important contributors to the performance of casualty evacuation in both males and females.
Improving strength through training and measuring the effectiveness of training by measuring peak force during the IMTP test should translate to improved performance of casualty evacuation. Further, this test could be used to determine job suitability of new recruits and to set performance benchmarks to ensure job readiness.
Read the full study here.
VALD's solution - ForceDecks
VALD’s ForceDecks Dual Force Plate System can be used to automatically quantify peak force during an IMTP test. By connecting multiple sets of ForceDecks to the same device, many personnel can be tested concurrently to improve the rate of data collection. Once data collection is complete, immediately benchmark personnel against performance thresholds on VALD Hub, VALD’s cloud-based data analytics platform. From there, quickly view and prioritize time for personnel who scored below thresholds so they have the best chance of improving.
Want to learn more about VALD Tactical and ForceDecks?
Reach out to us at info@valdtactical.com or fill in the contact form here.
RESEARCH SUMMARY: Use of an isometric mid-thigh pull test during musculoskeletal rehabilitation for Defense departments (Walters et al., 2021)
Original research title: Use of an isometric mid-thigh pull test during musculoskeletal rehabilitation: can the criterion values from the updated British Army physical employment standards be used to inform UK Defence Rehabilitation practice?
Authors: Walters V, Coppack R, Cassidy R, Suffield C, Papadopoulou T, Bilzon J, Ladlow P
Year: 2021
Purpose
Injured military personnel undergo rehabilitation to ensure they are fit to return to duty. Using objective measures of functional strength allows clinicians to accurately track functional capacity and treatment effectiveness over time. The isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) is a reliable way to assess overall muscle strength. Therefore, results from an isometric mid-thigh pull (IMPT) test have the potential to inform clinical decision-making.
The purpose of this study was to:
- Evaluate the acceptability of the IMTP in military personnel rehabilitating from hip injuries.
- Compare IMTP results from injured personnel against current Defense standards.
Methods
A prospective cohort study was designed to determine the suitability of using the IMTP during hip injury rehabilitation in military personnel. Nineteen participants completed maximal IMTP efforts while standing on ForceDecks Dual Force Plate System. Hip (140-150°) and knee (125-145°) postures for the IMTP were standardized using a goniometer and all participants pulled with maximum effort for 5 seconds. ForceDecks software automatically analyzed the force-time signals and extracted metrics of interest.
Key findings
- The IMTP test had 100% adherence from study participants and no participants reported any soreness or overexertion. Clinicians enjoyed the ease of administering the test and the quickness with which it can be performed (<15 minutes per person).
- Mean recorded net peak force was 1281±440N, which equates to 131±45 kg in this patient population. While relatively low compared to sporting populations, the results were 2.6 times greater than minimum physical employment standards and suggest the standards need to be raised. Further research is required to determine suitable IMTP test standards for tactical populations.
VALD’s solution – ForceDecks
VALD’s ForceDecks Dual Force Plate System provide tactical professionals with an objective tool to track rehabilitation outcomes and determine return-to-duty readiness.
- The IMTP test is a supported test type that can be used to profile overall body strength in a simple-to-administer test that does not require a lot of familiarization. Key metrics can be grouped by job role to build out normative data representative of each population.
- The Countermovement Jump (CMJ) test can be used in conjunction with the IMTP test to understand ballistic force production and track neuromuscular fatigue. Key metrics include peak takeoff power and force asymmetries during both the takeoff and landing phases.
For the full study, see here.
Would you like to learn more about ForceDecks or VALD Tactical Systems?
Contact us at info@valdtactical.com or fill in the contact form here.
RESEARCH SUMMARY: Fitness tests and occupational tasks of military interest (Hauschild et al., 2016)
Original research title: Fitness tests and occupational tasks of military interest: A systematic review of correlations
Authors: Hauschild V, DeGroot DW, Hall S, Grier T, Deaver KD, Hauret KG, & Jones BH
Year: 2016
Purpose
Physically demanding occupations (e.g., military, firefighting, law enforcement) use fitness tests to guide personnel selection. Unfortunately, the relationship between physical test results and job performance is often poor as the tests do not represent the physical job requirements. Consequently, results of physical fitness tests can be poor predictors of job performance.
This review examines the literature to determine the relationship between physical fitness test results and job performance. Moreover, the review seeks to understand if any of the tests consistently correlated with job performance.
Methods
A comprehensive review of the literature for original studies that provided Pearson correlation coefficients between physical fitness tests and performance outcomes in military, firefighter, and / or law enforcement populations. From an initial search yield of 17,404 studies, 27 were included in the final meta-analysis.
Primary health-related fitness components were grouped into cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility. Muscular strength and endurance were further grouped by upper or lower body. 12 common occupational tasks were selected as job-specific outcomes, including lift and lower, lift and carry, push-pull, dig, climb, crawl, and others.
Key findings
- Lower and upper body strength had moderate and strong correlations across 7 of the 12 occupational tasks. This suggests that individuals with higher strength generally performed better on occupational tasks compared to individuals with lower strength. The most common type of lower body strength assessment was the vertical jump and standing broad jump, probably because they are easy to administer in the field.
- Repeated push-up, and lift and lower tests were the most common upper body strength and endurance assessments. To maximize the value of testing, practitioners should also consider measuring how personnel complete the test (i.e., outcome) and not only the result (i.e., output).
VALD’s solution
VALD has a suite of systems that can match your specific needs. This includes ForceDecks Dual Force Plate System, NordBord Hamstring Testing System, ForceFrame Strength Testing System, AirBands Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Cuffs, HumanTrak Movement Analysis System and TeleHab Exercise Prescription App.
Data from VALD Systems integrate with VALD Hub to create a simple workflow for testing and understanding who is underperforming. Importantly, VALD’s testing, and data analysis solutions help practitioners measure the neuromuscular deficits causing poor performance.
Additionally, VALD’s systems identify who is performing poorly so interventions can be targeted to correct the underlying deficit:
- Create a sequence of tests to assess the lower and upper body strength of your personnel and understand their job readiness.
- Modify the test sequence to match specific job role requirements and use the power of normative data to identify who is below average.
For the full study, see here.
Would you like to learn more about VALD Tactical Systems?
Contact us at info@valdtactical.com or fill in the contact form here.
