A1 Journal article (refereed)
Effects of 36-hour recovery on marksmanship and hormone concentrations during strenuous winter military survival training (2023)
Ojanen, T., Pihlainen, K., Yli-Renko, J., Vaara, J. P., Nykänen, T., Heikkinen, R., & Kyröläinen, H. (2023). Effects of 36-hour recovery on marksmanship and hormone concentrations during strenuous winter military survival training. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 15, Article 105. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-023-00711-6
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Ojanen, Tommi; Pihlainen, Kai; Yli-Renko, Jussi; Vaara, Jani P.; Nykänen, Tarja; Heikkinen, Risto; Kyröläinen, Heikki
Journal or series: BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
eISSN: 2052-1847
Publication year: 2023
Publication date: 18/08/2023
Volume: 15
Article number: 105
Publisher: Biomed Central
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-023-00711-6
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/88666
Abstract
Survival training can provide a unique setting for scientific examination of human stress responses and physical performance in a realistic operational military context. The aim of the present study was to observe effects of a 36-h recovery period on serum hormone concentrations, salivary cortisol, and marksmanship during 10-day winter military survival training in north of the Arctic Circle.
Design and methods
Sixty-eight male soldiers were randomly divided into two groups; EXP (n = 26) and CON (n = 42). While CON performed the whole exercise phase in the field, EXP had 36-h recovery period between days 6 and 8. Several hormones were measured during the study to investigate recovery.
Results
Subjective physical and mental demand as well as catabolic hormone levels increased and anabolic hormones decreased in CON (p < 0.05), whereas in EXP, recovery period attenuated negative effects of survival training. Prone shooting performance decreased (87.5 ± 6.5 vs. 76.3 ± 8.8, points out of 100, p < 0.05) between days 6 and 8 in CON while EXP was able to maintain shooting performance throughout the study.
Conclusion
A short recovery during a strenuous training can prevent the degradation in psychophysiological state and shooting performance in soldiers, which can be crucial for survival in demanding operational winter environment. In the present study, 36-h rest period during the field training seems to enhance recovery but the duration of the period was inadequate for full recovery from the accumulated operative stress. In conclusion, appropriate recovery periods should be implemented in order to optimize occupational performance during high operative stress.
Keywords: soldiers; endocrinology; performance (capacity); return to health; recovery (return); hormones; hormonal effects
Free keywords: SERE; soldier; endocrinology; Arctic
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2023
Preliminary JUFO rating: 1
