Effect of carrying different military equipment during a fatigue test on shooting performance

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of a 3-km walking test (3kWT) carrying different military equipment on shooting performance, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), heart rate (HR), and test time. The relative combat wear and backpack weight (as percentage of soldier’s body weight [%BW]) was reported and, along with HR, its relationship to marksmanship variables was tested. Thirty-nine Spanish Army males walked as fast as possible to complete the 3kWT in the following conditions in a randomized order: unloaded walking; wearing the combat uniform; and carrying the combat uniform plus combat backpack. A shooting test was completed before and after the 3kWT. The HR and RPE were evaluated. The marksmanship variables and HR were analysed using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA, and a repeated ANOVA was also used for 3kWT completion time and HR reserve analysis. Correlation analyses were performed between the equipment’s weight, HR, and marksmanship variables. The results showed that shooting score decreased after the 3kWT in both load conditions (p < 0.001). The 3kWT time, RPE, and HR increased from control to load conditions, and also between load conditions. The HR reserve showed no significant effects between conditions. The %BW of the backpack condition negatively influenced aiming accuracy (r = −0.35; p = 0.04) and cleanness triggering (r = 0.37; p = 0.03). Correlations between HR and shooting variables were non-significant. In conclusion, wearing the Spanish Army combat wear and backpack resulted in shooting performance degradation. Furthermore, fatigue and RPE increased and this could decrease physical marksmanship and performance capacity in combat situations.

Keywords:

• Fatigue
• performance
• weight

Acknowledgements

The authors thank all of the participants and military personnel of the Brigade “Rey Alfonso XIII” II de la Legion (Viator, Almeria) that took part in this study. The following military personnel provided invaluable assistance during the project: Lt. Col. Lorenzo Rebollo Gómez, Cap. Luis Bermejo and OCdt Juan Carlos Ramírez. The Faculty of Education, Economy and Technology of Ceuta supported the editing process of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The work of Orantes-González was supported by the Ministry of Education and the Culture and Sports of Spain (ref. FPU13/00162), and Gil-Cosano was supported by a CEMIX grant. This project was funded by CEMIX: University of Granada and Command for Training and Doctrine (MADOC) ref. 23/16, with funds of Santander Bank.