Page 78 - Journal of Special Operations Medicine - Spring 2014

Table 1 Physiological Changes During Special Operations Training.
Changes Changes
Changes in Lower Changes in Maximal
Changes in Total Changes Body Power in Maximal Lifting Changes Changes
in BM FFM in Total FM Output Jump Height Strength in MVC in RFD
Training Duration (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)
↓ 15
72 hours SUSOPS ↓ 3.1 ↓ 2.3 ↓ 7.3 ↓ 9 (total work for
(Nindl et al, 2002)
squat jumps)
8 days SUSOPS ↓ 4.1 ↓ 2.4 ↓ 12.7 ↓ 8.9 ↓ 4.9
(Welsh et al.)
8 days SSR ↓ 4 ↓ 5.1 ↓ 8.2 ↓ 9.2 ↓ 15–30
(Christensen et al.)
8 days SSR ↓ 3.2 ↓ 5.0 No change ↓ 9.9 ↓ 10.9 ↓ 17–22
(Thorlund et al.)
8 weeks ↓ 20
Ranger training ↓ 12.6 ↓ 6.1 ↓ 48 ↓ 21 ↓ 16 (simulated
(Nindl et al, 2007) power clean)

his initial weight. This recommendation is similar to and cognitive performance when Special Operators are
24
Friedl’s recommendations that BM losses of at least 5% sleep deprived and must coordinate nighttime missions.
and possibly 10% are necessary before any significant
decrements in Soldier physical performance occur. 25
Effects of Operational Stressors
Along with nutritional deficiency, Special Operators on Human Performance
sleep very little during SUSOPS. Tharion et al. stud- The multiple stressors in a combat environment endured
ied the effects of Hell Week and caffeine during BUD/S by Special Operators yield an overall stress burden with
training on Navy SEAL trainees’ marksmanship. SEAL similar consequences of athletic “overtraining.” Addi-
28
26
trainees endure sleep deprivation, fatigue, psychologi- tionally, Nindl et al. hypothesized that physical overex-
cal stress, and cold-wet environmental conditions dur- ertion (independent of sleep and energy restriction) may
ing Hell Week, likely the toughest training they will ever be the attributing factor of compromised physical perfor-
experience during their military career. Tharion et al. mance for Soldiers in the field. Furthermore, physical
22
suggested 200mg of caffeine as an optimal dose for an overexertion alongside energy deficit may together lead
acute effect on marksmanship in sleep-deprived individ- to greater losses in physical performance. For example,
22
uals (e.g., after 72 hours of Hell Week) and 300mg of significant physical performance decrements including
caffeine as a performance enhancer for up to 8 hours. losses in lower body power output, jump height, and
The intake of 200mg of caffeine helped decrease sight- maximal lifting strength were identified after 8 weeks
ing time to target, but not accuracy in SEAL trainees of Ranger School. A 21% decline in lower body power
after 72 hours of Hell Week. 26 output, measured by a maximal (1–RM) vertical jump
test, was significantly correlated (r = 0.30) with changes
Therefore, caffeine intake in appropriate doses may be in FFM. Lower body power output in U.S. Marines
16
beneficial for marksmanship of Special Operators dur- decreased 8.9% after 8 days of SUSOPS, also measured
ing missions in which sleep deprivation and other opera- by a maximal unloaded vertical jump test. A 9% de-
23
tional stressors may negatively impact mission success. crease in power output and 15% decrease in total work
Moreover, Flanagan et al. suggest that Soldiers conduct- performed in Soldiers were observed following 72 hours
ing dangerous combat missions at night should routinely of SUSOPS, measured by squat jumps (30 repetitions of
nap during the afternoon to increase evening alertness 30% of 1–RM). 22
and performance. For example, a 26-minute afternoon
6
nap improved National Aeronautics and Space Admin- Concomitantly, maximal jump height decreased 16%
istration pilots’ cognitive performance on aviator tasks after Ranger School, 4.9% after 8 days of SUSOPS,
16
23
by 34%. Flanagan et al. support the incorporation of and 8.2% and 9.9% after SSR missions where Soldiers
27
naps during Ranger School, with the idea that routine were required to remain in the lying face down (i.e.,
naps in training will become standard procedure in for- prone) position for 8 days. 5,29 Significant declines in
ward-deployed locations. Commanders may consider lower body power output can result in as little as 72
6
naps as a simple countermeasure to improve alertness hours (9% decrease) of rigorous training and greater

70 Journal of Special Operations Medicine Volume 14, Edition 1/Spring 2014