Page 69 - JSOM Winter 2018

findings of this study, it appears that Operators exposed to the
THOR3 program may have a greater opportunity for success
when engaging targets under physical and psychological du-
ress. This fills a significant gap in the current literature; to our
FIGURE 4 knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the relationship
Comparison between stress shooting and participation in a human perfor-
of positive
identification mance training and education program in the SOF community.
time (PID)
between users The ability to accurately and positively engage the enemy is
versus nonusers. extremely important in any conflict. The US Military is held
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to a high standard of conduct, and mistakes on the battle-
field may result in negative political and/or strategic world-
wide ramifications. When compared with the nonuser group,
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overall performance scores of Operators participating in the
THOR3 program were more consistent than those of the non-
user group in raw time, total time, and penalty time. These
findings suggest users of the THOR3 program, as a group,
tend to have more homogeneous performance when compared
with those who do not use these services. However, users
FIGURE 5 tended to have more variation in PID time.
Comparison
of penalty time Although this study makes an important contribution to the
between users
versus nonusers. literature in this area, it is not without limitations. Based on
the constraints of the environment, there was no way to con-
trol for Operator actions before they participated in the shoot.
Physiological measures during the stress shoot were not col-
lected; subsequently, the physiological burden of this activity
could not be accurately measured. Previous research does in-
dicate that a significant correlation exists between lower rest-
to medium effect size was discovered between raw time and ing heart rates and marksmanship ability. Therefore, there
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total time to completion between users and nonusers of the is a need to look at heart rate and other physiological mea-
THOR3 program. In addition, a small effect size was discov- sures during similar events to provide more insight related to
ered in total penalty time. However, the scenario presented the stress of these events and to develop physical and mental
in this study may well be one of statistical significance versus training programs to address these demands. Future studies
practical significance. It is important for the reader to remem- should consider nutritional and hydration status, heart and
ber that all ARSOF personnel are highly trained, regardless of respiration rates, experience levels of Operators, and the spe-
their use of the THOR3 program. Therefore, any differences cific level of exposure to the THOR3 program to obtain better
between users and nonusers may be small enough that statisti- information on performance indicators. Furthermore, future
cal analysis will show no difference between groups. However, research should be performed using larger sample sizes for
such small differences in the ability of ARSOF personnel to greater statistical power.
engage targets near friendly and enemy personnel are essential
and could mean the difference between life and death for Op- Nutritional status was not controlled for in the stress shoot in
erators, hostages, or other friendly personnel. this study. Peak physical performance, mental performance,
and dietary intake may be elements that affect the SOF Opera-
Several studies have identified that physical and mental perfor- tor in the SFAUC. These are all factors that may affect success
mance training may improve cognitive function under stress. 10 in SOF missions, when speed, accuracy, and cognitive perfor-
Kramer et al. were first to propose the “selective improve- mance in stressful situations are paramount to success.
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ment” hypothesis comparing aerobic exercise training and
performance tasks. Selective improvement suggests that only
a few specific cognitive functions (i.e., executive functions and Conclusion
tasks that require cognitive control) are affected by aerobic SFAUC leadership concluded the ODA completing the stress
exercise. Another study, by Holzschneider et al., combined test with the fastest average time was also the ODA that used
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physical exercise and spatial memory training to test the effects at least one service provided by the THOR3’s performance
on spatial memory functions. Kempermann concluded that team before SFAUC. The differences between the users and
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physical exercise may prepare the brain to respond to cognitive nonusers of the THOR3 program suggest there may be a crit-
stimulation. Hotting and Roder stated that exercise-induced ical advantage to using this program with regard to perfor-
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changes in the nervous system with follow-on cognitive training mance enhancement and cognitive performance under stress.
will facilitate neuronal changes to occur more effectively. The Having a higher level of physical performance and knowledge
benefits of combining physical and mental training associated of mental skills training methods may provide advantages to
with mission tasks, as done in the THOR3 program, may cause Operators performing in a stress shoot or similar tasks.
a deliberate change in the neuroplasticity of the Operator.
Disclosures
Speed and accuracy in shooting is a critical skill for all Sol- The authors have indicated they have no financial relation-
diers in the military, not just SOF Operators. Based on the ships relevant to this article to disclose.
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