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Human performance optimization of tactical personnel requires accurate, meticulous, and effective monitoring of biological adaptations and systemic recovery. Due to an increased understanding of its importance and the commercial availability of assessment tools, the use of heart rate variability (HRV) to address this need is becoming more common in the tactical community. Measuring HRV is a non-invasive, practical method for objectively assessing a performer’s readiness, workload, and recovery status; when combined with additional data sources and practitioner input, it provides an affordable and scalable solution for gaining actionable information to support the facilitation and maintenance of operational performance. This narrative review discusses the non-clinical use of HRV for assessing, monitoring, and interpreting autonomic nervous system resource availability, modulation, effectiveness, and efficiency in tactical populations. Broadly, HRV metrics represent a complex series of interactions resulting from internal and external stimuli; therefore, a general overview of HRV applications in tactical personnel is discussed, including the influence of occupational specific demands, interactions between cognitive and physical domains, and recommendations on implementing HRV for training and recovery insights into critical health and performance outcomes.
Mark Stephenson; Andrew Thompson; Justin Merrigan; Jason Stone; Joshua Hagen. Applying Heart Rate Variability to Monitor Health and Performance in Tactical Personnel: A Narrative Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 8143 .
AMA StyleMark Stephenson, Andrew Thompson, Justin Merrigan, Jason Stone, Joshua Hagen. Applying Heart Rate Variability to Monitor Health and Performance in Tactical Personnel: A Narrative Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (15):8143.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMark Stephenson; Andrew Thompson; Justin Merrigan; Jason Stone; Joshua Hagen. 2021. "Applying Heart Rate Variability to Monitor Health and Performance in Tactical Personnel: A Narrative Review." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 15: 8143.
The purpose was to evaluate neuromuscular fatigue’s effect on unloaded and loaded countermovement jump (CMJ) force-time characteristics during high-intensity tactical training. Eighteen male and sixteen female Marines completed two maximal effort CMJs, in unloaded (PVC pipe) and loaded (10 kg weight vest and 20 kg barbell) conditions, prior to, and 24, 48, and 72 h after starting the 4-day event. The top three variables from three principal components (PC) were analyzed using mixed-effects modeling (PC1—concentric mean power, eccentric peak force, and modified reactive strength index; PC2—countermovement depth, eccentric mean power, and eccentric mean velocity; PC3—braking duration, jump height, peak power). Metrics from PC1 and PC3 were reduced across training and from both loading conditions. Metrics from PC2 were similarly affected by external loading but were less influenced by training-induced fatigue. Jump performances with the barbell and with shallower countermovement depths did not change throughout training. Thus, 20 kg loaded CMJs are stable neuromuscular measures suitable for tracking chronic training adaptations. Monitoring unloaded and 10 kg loaded CMJ performances, along with movement strategies (i.e., countermovement rates and depth), may help identify moments of accumulated fatigue to inform training and recovery adjustments and improve the sustainability of personnel.
Justin Merrigan; Jason Stone; Jad Ramadan; Joshua Hagen; Andrew Thompson. Dimensionality Reduction Differentiates Sensitive Force-Time Characteristics from Loaded and Unloaded Conditions throughout Competitive Military Training. Sustainability 2021, 13, 6105 .
AMA StyleJustin Merrigan, Jason Stone, Jad Ramadan, Joshua Hagen, Andrew Thompson. Dimensionality Reduction Differentiates Sensitive Force-Time Characteristics from Loaded and Unloaded Conditions throughout Competitive Military Training. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (11):6105.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJustin Merrigan; Jason Stone; Jad Ramadan; Joshua Hagen; Andrew Thompson. 2021. "Dimensionality Reduction Differentiates Sensitive Force-Time Characteristics from Loaded and Unloaded Conditions throughout Competitive Military Training." Sustainability 13, no. 11: 6105.
A necessarily high standard for physical readiness in tactical environments is often accompanied by high incidences of injury due to overaccumulations of neuromuscular fatigue (NMF). To account for instances of overtraining stimulated by NMF, close monitoring of neuromuscular performance is warranted. Previously validated tests, such as the countermovement jump, are useful means for monitoring performance adaptations, resiliency to fatigue, and risk for injury. Performing such tests on force plates provides an understanding of the movement strategy used to obtain the resulting outcome (e.g., jump height). Further, force plates afford numerous objective tests that are valid and reliable for monitoring upper and lower extremity muscular strength and power (thus sensitive to NMF) with less fatiguing and safer methods than traditional one-repetition maximum assessments. Force plates provide numerous software and testing application options that can be applied to military’s training but, to be effective, requires the practitioners to have sufficient knowledge of their functions. Therefore, this review aims to explain the functions of force plate testing as well as current best practices for utilizing force plates in military settings and disseminate protocols for valid and reliable testing to collect key variables that translate to physical performance capacities.
Justin J. Merrigan; Jason D. Stone; Andrew G. Thompson; W. Guy Hornsby; Joshua A. Hagen. Monitoring Neuromuscular Performance in Military Personnel. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 9147 .
AMA StyleJustin J. Merrigan, Jason D. Stone, Andrew G. Thompson, W. Guy Hornsby, Joshua A. Hagen. Monitoring Neuromuscular Performance in Military Personnel. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (23):9147.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJustin J. Merrigan; Jason D. Stone; Andrew G. Thompson; W. Guy Hornsby; Joshua A. Hagen. 2020. "Monitoring Neuromuscular Performance in Military Personnel." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 23: 9147.